Table of Contents
Bulgaria's internet penetration rate reached 77.8% in 2023, translating to 5.2 million users. This figure is expected to grow to 5.7 million by 2028, representing a penetration rate of 89.3%. However, it's important to note that a shrinking population is contributing to this growth in internet penetration. There has actually been a slight decrease in the number of internet users by 71,000 between 2023 and 2024.
Mobile phones are the dominant device for internet access, with 78.3% of users going online via their phones. This dominance is particularly strong in urban areas, where 91.8% of households have internet access. Interestingly, mobile connection figures are even higher than the population, at 138.7% in early 2024, likely due to people having multiple connections.
E-commerce is a growing trend, with 45.2% of Bulgarians buying goods or services online in 2023. This represents a significant increase from previous years, and the trend is expected to continue. People with higher education levels are more likely to shop online, with a remarkable 70.4% of those with tertiary education making online purchases.
Social media use shows a different picture. While social media platforms boast 4.44 million active users in early 2024, this figure represents a slight increase from 2023. It's important to note that these figures might be due to adjustments in how social media users are counted rather than a surge in actual user engagement.
Finally, Bulgarians spend a considerable amount of time online, averaging 7 hours and 29 minutes daily in 2023. This extensive internet usage highlights its deep integration into everyday life for Bulgarians, encompassing activities like social media, e-commerce, and potentially other online interactions.
Definitions
Online population. Total number of individuals or users who have access to the internet and regularly use it for various purposes, such as communication, information gathering, entertainment, shopping, and more (at least once in a month)
Additional Notes
Release Date: April 2024
Region: Bulgaria
Time Period: 2009 to 2028
Author: Datum Research Team
Source: Datum Global Online Population Forecast 2023-28
Methodology
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