Migration / Bulgaria

Migration in Bulgaria

Official figures from Eurostat, year by year. Each chart links to its source and to what it measures. Compare Bulgaria with other countries · Regions of Bulgaria

DataYear

Net migration

+35,085 people in 2025 (5.5 per 1,000 inhabitants): more arrived than left.

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people
Period	Net migration
2025	35,085
2024	39,187
2023	41,580
2022	27,444
2021	40,684
2020	28,491
2019	-48,357
2018	-46,912
2017	-46,264
2016	-46,645
2015	-46,764
2014	-46,396
2013	-47,336
2012	-2,512
2011	-4,795
2010	-17,683
2009	-18,241
2008	-18,072
2007	-17,016
2006	-17,238
2005	-16,903
2004	-16,350
2003	-15,791
2002	-17,191
2001	-236,465
2000	0

Source: Eurostat (demo_gind). What this measures

Arrivals

52,189 in 2024 (8.1 per 1,000 inhabitants).

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people
Period	Arrivals
2024	52,189
2023	56,807
2022	40,619
2021	39,461
2020	37,364
2019	37,929
2018	29,559
2017	25,597
2016	21,241
2015	25,223
2014	26,615
2013	18,570
2012	14,103
2007	1,561

Flagged by the source: 2012 (break in series, provisional); 2013 (provisional); 2014 (provisional). Source: Eurostat (migr_imm8). What this measures

Departures

13,002 in 2024 (2.0 per 1,000 inhabitants).

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people
Period	Departures
2024	13,002
2023	15,227
2022	13,175
2021	26,755
2020	6,649
2019	39,941
2018	33,225
2017	31,586
2016	30,570
2015	29,470
2014	28,727
2013	19,678
2012	16,615
2007	2,958

Flagged by the source: 2012 (break in series, provisional); 2013 (provisional); 2014 (provisional). Source: Eurostat (migr_emi2). What this measures

Foreign citizens

2.4% of residents on 1 January 2025 were foreign citizens (152,938 people).

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% of the total
Period	Foreign citizens
2025	2.4
2024	1.9
2023	1.3
2022	1
2021	1.9
2020	1.7
2019	1.5
2018	1.3
2017	1.2
2016	1.1
2015	0.9
2014	0.8
2013	0.6
2012	0.5
2011	0.5
2010	0.5
2009	0.5
2008	0.5

Largest foreign citizenships, 2025
Group	People	Share
Russia	27,499	18.0%
Ukraine	25,664	16.8%
Syria	17,186	11.2%
Türkiye	14,366	9.4%
Germany	8,099	5.3%
United Kingdom	4,344	2.8%
Greece	3,991	2.6%
Italy	3,493	2.3%
North Macedonia	2,447	1.6%
Other countries	45,849	30.0%

Flagged by the source: 2008 (break in series). Source: Eurostat (migr_pop1ctz). What this measures

Foreign-born residents

3.8% of residents on 1 January 2025 were born abroad (246,575 people).

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% of the total
Period	Foreign-born residents
2025	3.8
2024	3.3
2023	2.6
2022	2.2
2021	2.9
2020	2.7
2019	2.4
2018	2.2
2017	2
2016	1.9
2015	1.7
2014	1.5
2013	1.3
2012	1.2
2011	1.1

Largest countries of birth, 2025
Group	People	Share
Russia	36,427	14.8%
Ukraine	31,988	13.0%
Türkiye	21,377	8.7%
Germany	20,358	8.3%
Syria	17,441	7.1%
United Kingdom	13,627	5.5%
Greece	11,165	4.5%
Spain	7,793	3.2%
Italy	7,013	2.8%
Other countries	79,386	32.2%

Source: Eurostat (migr_pop3ctb). What this measures

Foreign-born residents by age

In 2025, 60.7% of foreign-born residents were aged 15 to 64 (149,661 of 246,575).

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% aged 15 to 64
Period	Foreign-born residents by age
2025	60.7
2024	60
2023	59
2022	57.3
2021	52.3
2020	52.2
2019	52.8
2018	53.3
2017	54.8
2016	56
2015	57.5
2014	58.5
2013	59.2
2012	61.5
2011	67.7

Foreign-born residents by age, 2025
Group	People	Share
Under 15	62,922	25.5%
15 to 64	149,661	60.7%
65 and over	33,992	13.8%

Source: Eurostat (migr_pop3ctb). What this measures

Foreign-born residents by sex

In 2025, 48.0% of foreign-born residents were women (118,247 of 246,575).

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% women
Period	Foreign-born residents by sex
2025	48
2024	48.6
2023	49.5
2022	51.2
2021	50.6
2020	50.8
2019	51.1
2018	51.5
2017	51.5
2016	51.5
2015	51.7
2014	52.3
2013	53.7
2012	55.2
2011	55.7

Foreign-born residents by sex, 2025
Group	People	Share
Women	118,247	48.0%
Men	128,328	52.0%

Source: Eurostat (migr_pop3ctb). What this measures

Employment rate by country of birth

In 2025, 60.7% of residents aged 20 to 64 who were born abroad were in employment, against 77.1% of those born in the country.

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%, born abroad
Period	Born abroad	Born in the country
2025	60.7	77.1
2024	62.7	76.8
2023	69.1	76.3
2022	57.5	75.9
2021	61.6	73.3
2020	63.7	73.6
2019	68.6	75.1
2018	67.7	72.4
2017	67.2	71.4
2016	64.7	67.7
2015	55.8	67.2
2014	59.1	65.1
2013	58	63.6
2012	55.4	63
2011	55.1	63
2010	51.9	64.7
2009	56.6	68.9
2008	60.4	70.7
2007	63.1	68.4
2006	63.4	65.1
2005	—	—
2004	—	—
2003	—	—
2002	—	—
2001	—	—
2000	—	—

Flagged by the source: 2001 (break in series); 2003 (break in series); 2005 (break in series); 2008 (break in series); 2010 (break in series); 2011 (break in series); 2012 (u); 2019 (break in series); 2020 (u); 2021 (break in series); 2024 (break in series). Source: Eurostat (lfsa_ergacob). What this measures

Unemployment rate by country of birth

No figures available for this country.

Births to foreign-born mothers

2.6% of live births in 2024 were to mothers born abroad (1,415 of 53,428).

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% of the total
Period	Births to foreign-born mothers
2024	2.6
2023	2.8
2022	2.1
2021	1.7
2020	1.8
2019	1.6
2018	1.4
2017	1.7
2016	1.4
2015	1.7
2014	1.5
2013	1.4

Live births by mother's origin, 2024
Group	Births	Share
Mothers born abroad	1,415	2.6%
Mothers born in the country	51,974	97.3%
Not recorded	39	0.1%

Source: Eurostat (demo_facbc). What this measures

Births to foreign-citizen mothers

1.5% of live births in 2024 were to mothers with foreign citizenship (827 of 53,428).

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% of the total
Period	Births to foreign-citizen mothers
2024	1.5
2023	1.7
2022	1.2
2021	0.9
2020	1
2019	0.9
2018	0.6
2017	0.9
2016	0.7
2015	1
2014	0.9
2013	0.8
2012	0.9
2011	1.1
2010	1.1
2009	1.1
2008	0.9
2007	0.8

Live births by mother's origin, 2024
Group	Births	Share
Mothers with foreign citizenship	827	1.5%
Mothers with the country's citizenship	52,583	98.4%
Not recorded	18	0.0%

Source: Eurostat (demo_faczc). What this measures

First residence permits

23,577 in 2025 (3.7 per 1,000 inhabitants).

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people
Period	First residence permits
2025	23,577
2024	19,662
2023	19,375
2022	15,839
2021	11,784
2020	10,267
2019	13,500
2018	11,864
2017	10,958
2016	7,942
2015	9,595
2014	8,795
2013	6,436
2012	6,418
2011	5,030
2010	4,051
2009	4,383
2008	3,933

First residence permits, 2025
Group	People	Share
Family	5,136	21.8%
Education	2,470	10.5%
Employment	12,596	53.4%
Other	3,375	14.3%

Source: Eurostat (migr_resfirst). What this measures

Acquisitions of citizenship

343 in 2024 (0.05 per 1,000 inhabitants).

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people
Period	Acquisitions of citizenship
2024	343
2023	398
2022	893
2021	2,183
2020	859
2019	736
2018	997
2017	914
2016	1,626
2015	1,275
2014	900
2013	808
2012	1,750
2011	612
2010	889
2009	965
2008	7,140
2007	5,966
2006	6,738
2005	5,882
2004	5,783
2003	4,382
2002	3,544

Largest former citizenships, 2024
Group	People	Share
Türkiye	98	28.6%
Ukraine	84	24.5%
Serbia	30	8.7%
Moldova	26	7.6%
North Macedonia	25	7.3%
Russia	24	7.0%
Italy	8	2.3%
Lebanon	7	2.0%
Greece	6	1.7%
Other countries	35	10.2%

Flagged by the source: 2009 (break in series); 2014 (provisional). Source: Eurostat (migr_acq). What this measures

Asylum applicants

3,895 in 2025 (0.61 per 1,000 inhabitants).

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people
Period	Asylum applicants
2025	3,895
2024	12,260
2023	22,510
2022	20,390
2021	11,000
2020	3,525
2019	2,150
2018	2,535
2017	3,695
2016	19,420
2015	20,390
2014	11,080
2013	7,145
2012	1,385
2011	890
2010	1,025
2009	855
2008	745

Largest citizenships of applicants, 2025
Group	People	Share
Morocco	965	24.8%
Afghanistan	945	24.3%
Syria	820	21.1%
Iraq	545	14.0%
Iran	100	2.6%
Egypt	100	2.6%
Pakistan	95	2.4%
Türkiye	65	1.7%
Algeria	60	1.5%
Other countries	200	5.1%

Source: Eurostat (migr_asyappctza). What this measures

Asylum decisions

In 2025, 20.5% of first-instance decisions on asylum applications were positive (955 of 4,655).

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% positive decisions
Period	Asylum decisions
2025	20.5
2024	61.9
2023	66.2
2022	90.8
2021	61.6
2020	37.4
2019	32
2018	35.1
2017	35.8
2016	44.3
2015	90.6
2014	94.1
2013	87.5
2012	26.6
2011	31.4
2010	27.2
2009	41.9
2008	44

Asylum decisions, 2025
Group	People	Share
Refugee status	60	1.3%
Subsidiary protection	890	19.1%
Rejected	3,700	79.6%

Source: Eurostat (migr_asydcfsta). What this measures

Unaccompanied minors seeking asylum

575 in 2025 (0.09 per 1,000 inhabitants).

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people
Period	Unaccompanied minors seeking asylum
2025	575
2024	2,600
2023	3,845
2022	3,350
2021	3,170
2020	800
2019	525
2018	480
2017	440
2016	2,750
2015	1,815
2014	940
2013	185
2012	60
2011	25
2010	20
2009	10
2008	15

Largest citizenships, 2025
Group	People	Share
Afghanistan	255	44.3%
Iraq	105	18.3%
Egypt	75	13.0%
Syria	60	10.4%
Iran	35	6.1%
Morocco	30	5.2%
Pakistan	5	0.9%
Tunisia	5	0.9%
Other countries	5	0.9%

Source: Eurostat (migr_asyunaa). What this measures

Asylum applicants, monthly

235 in Jun 2026 (0.04 per 1,000 inhabitants).

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people
Period	Asylum applicants, monthly
Jun 2026	235
May 2026	175
Apr 2026	245
Mar 2026	145
Feb 2026	65
Jan 2026	265
Dec 2025	275
Nov 2025	325
Oct 2025	435
Sep 2025	425
Aug 2025	355
Jul 2025	340
Jun 2025	235
May 2025	300
Apr 2025	370
Mar 2025	190
Feb 2025	275
Jan 2025	370
Dec 2024	375
Nov 2024	630
Oct 2024	1,475
Sep 2024	1,505
Aug 2024	1,995
Jul 2024	1,650
Jun 2024	1,065
May 2024	790
Apr 2024	735
Mar 2024	700
Feb 2024	570
Jan 2024	770
Dec 2023	770
Nov 2023	2,340
Oct 2023	3,030
Sep 2023	3,130
Aug 2023	3,205
Jul 2023	2,345
Jun 2023	1,850
May 2023	1,485
Apr 2023	1,010
Mar 2023	1,315
Feb 2023	740
Jan 2023	1,285
Dec 2022	1,185
Nov 2022	2,045
Oct 2022	2,795
Sep 2022	2,505
Aug 2022	1,910
Jul 2022	1,130
Jun 2022	915
May 2022	1,840
Apr 2022	1,580
Mar 2022	2,540
Feb 2022	930
Jan 2022	1,020
Dec 2021	1,405
Nov 2021	1,865
Oct 2021	1,770
Sep 2021	1,285
Aug 2021	1,545
Jul 2021	860
Jun 2021	580
May 2021	285
Apr 2021	565
Mar 2021	275
Feb 2021	230
Jan 2021	340
Dec 2020	540
Nov 2020	745
Oct 2020	600
Sep 2020	590
Aug 2020	410
Jul 2020	255
Jun 2020	100
May 2020	30
Apr 2020	60
Mar 2020	70
Feb 2020	40
Jan 2020	90
Dec 2019	80
Nov 2019	105
Oct 2019	225
Sep 2019	285
Aug 2019	315
Jul 2019	260
Jun 2019	200
May 2019	270
Apr 2019	110
Mar 2019	85
Feb 2019	75
Jan 2019	145
Dec 2018	285
Nov 2018	350
Oct 2018	490
Sep 2018	315
Aug 2018	350
Jul 2018	150
Jun 2018	100
May 2018	85
Apr 2018	95
Mar 2018	85
Feb 2018	70
Jan 2018	155
Dec 2017	180
Nov 2017	185
Oct 2017	325
Sep 2017	375
Aug 2017	315
Jul 2017	235
Jun 2017	250
May 2017	270
Apr 2017	225
Mar 2017	530
Feb 2017	385
Jan 2017	420
Dec 2016	815
Nov 2016	1,755
Oct 2016	2,570
Sep 2016	2,075
Aug 2016	2,815
Jul 2016	1,545
Jun 2016	1,425
May 2016	1,115
Apr 2016	1,105
Mar 2016	1,040
Feb 2016	1,195
Jan 2016	1,965
Dec 2015	1,695
Nov 2015	2,415
Oct 2015	3,545
Sep 2015	2,075
Aug 2015	1,445
Jul 2015	1,870
Jun 2015	1,630
May 2015	1,345
Apr 2015	1,130
Mar 2015	1,130
Feb 2015	1,045
Jan 2015	1,070
Dec 2014	1,500
Nov 2014	1,380
Oct 2014	1,430
Sep 2014	1,220
Aug 2014	1,105
Jul 2014	910
Jun 2014	645
May 2014	545
Apr 2014	320
Mar 2014	435
Feb 2014	775
Jan 2014	820
Dec 2013	650
Nov 2013	1,260
Oct 2013	1,255
Sep 2013	960
Aug 2013	695
Jul 2013	440
Jun 2013	430
May 2013	280
Apr 2013	265
Mar 2013	425
Feb 2013	230
Jan 2013	250
Dec 2012	260
Nov 2012	205
Oct 2012	195
Sep 2012	120
Aug 2012	120
Jul 2012	80
Jun 2012	85
May 2012	85
Apr 2012	45
Mar 2012	65
Feb 2012	65
Jan 2012	75
Dec 2011	40
Nov 2011	80
Oct 2011	80
Sep 2011	65
Aug 2011	85
Jul 2011	70
Jun 2011	65
May 2011	60
Apr 2011	65
Mar 2011	70
Feb 2011	90
Jan 2011	115
Dec 2010	105
Nov 2010	95
Oct 2010	65
Sep 2010	75
Aug 2010	95
Jul 2010	95
Jun 2010	85
May 2010	55
Apr 2010	75
Mar 2010	100
Feb 2010	85
Jan 2010	100
Dec 2009	85
Nov 2009	100
Oct 2009	75
Sep 2009	70
Aug 2009	55
Jul 2009	60
Jun 2009	75
May 2009	55
Apr 2009	50
Mar 2009	90
Feb 2009	65
Jan 2009	70
Dec 2008	40
Nov 2008	50
Oct 2008	65
Sep 2008	80
Aug 2008	35
Jul 2008	60
Jun 2008	50
May 2008	75
Apr 2008	55
Mar 2008	60
Feb 2008	90
Jan 2008	85

Source: Eurostat (migr_asyappctzm). What this measures

Temporary protection, monthly

78,770 in Aug 2026 (12.3 per 1,000 inhabitants).

Show the figures

people
Period	Temporary protection, monthly
Aug 2026	78,770
Jul 2026	76,385
Jun 2026	74,035
May 2026	71,300
Apr 2026	83,645
Mar 2026	82,050
Feb 2026	80,020
Jan 2026	79,275
Dec 2025	78,105
Nov 2025	76,675
Oct 2025	75,255
Sep 2025	73,195
Aug 2025	71,105
Jul 2025	69,370
Jun 2025	67,425
May 2025	65,145
Apr 2025	74,415
Mar 2025	72,635
Feb 2025	71,060
Jan 2025	70,340
Dec 2024	68,935
Nov 2024	67,540
Oct 2024	66,025
Sep 2024	64,320
Aug 2024	62,505
Jul 2024	60,220
Jun 2024	57,350
May 2024	53,910
Apr 2024	50,970
Mar 2024	49,190
Feb 2024	45,715
Jan 2024	172,275
Dec 2023	170,970
Nov 2023	169,845
Oct 2023	168,300
Sep 2023	166,535
Aug 2023	164,880
Jul 2023	162,980
Jun 2023	160,690
May 2023	157,645
Apr 2023	155,000
Mar 2023	153,545
Feb 2023	151,590
Jan 2023	149,790
Dec 2022	147,385
Nov 2022	144,890
Oct 2022	142,050
Sep 2022	134,790
Aug 2022	130,290
Jul 2022	125,795
Jun 2022	119,305
May 2022	112,355
Apr 2022	92,410
Mar 2022	30,700

Flagged by the source: Mar 2022 (definition differs); Apr 2022 (definition differs); May 2022 (definition differs); Jun 2022 (definition differs); Jul 2022 (definition differs); Aug 2022 (definition differs); Sep 2022 (definition differs); Oct 2022 (definition differs); Nov 2022 (definition differs); Dec 2022 (definition differs); Jan 2023 (definition differs); Feb 2023 (definition differs); Mar 2023 (definition differs); Apr 2023 (definition differs); May 2023 (definition differs); Jun 2023 (definition differs); Jul 2023 (definition differs); Aug 2023 (definition differs); Sep 2023 (definition differs); Oct 2023 (definition differs); Nov 2023 (definition differs); Dec 2023 (definition differs); Jan 2024 (definition differs); Feb 2024 (break in series). Source: Eurostat (migr_asytpsm). What this measures

People found staying irregularly

7,745 in 2025 (1.2 per 1,000 inhabitants).

People the police, border or immigration authorities found without the right to stay, as each country reports them to Eurostat. It counts detections, not everyone living in the country without authorisation, and it rises when checks increase.

Show the figures

people
Period	People found staying irregularly
2025	7,745
2024	15,150
2023	22,805
2022	10,135
2021	3,200
2020	670
2019	655
2018	1,305
2017	2,595
2016	14,125
2015	20,810
2014	12,870
2013	5,260
2012	2,050
2011	1,355
2010	1,705
2009	1,465
2008	1,415

Largest citizenships, 2025
Group	People	Share
Afghanistan	1,840	23.8%
Morocco	1,745	22.5%
Iraq	890	11.5%
Syria	790	10.2%
Türkiye	455	5.9%
Iran	200	2.6%
Pakistan	165	2.1%
Egypt	160	2.1%
China	130	1.7%
Other countries	1,370	17.7%

Source: Eurostat (migr_eipre). What this measures

Entries refused at the border

5,130 in 2025 (0.80 per 1,000 inhabitants).

Decisions by border guards to turn a person back at a crossing point on the external border, as each country reports them to Eurostat. People who cross the border elsewhere are not counted.

Show the figures

people
Period	Entries refused at the border
2025	5,130
2024	6,395
2023	7,230
2022	7,955
2021	6,180
2020	4,685
2019	4,245
2018	3,220
2017	2,870
2016	2,170
2015	2,405
2014	2,315
2013	2,550
2012	3,070
2011	2,810
2010	3,070
2009	3,030
2008	4,060

Largest citizenships, 2025
Group	People	Share
Türkiye	2,110	41.1%
Georgia	675	13.2%
North Macedonia	530	10.3%
Serbia	340	6.6%
Albania	150	2.9%
Kosovo	140	2.7%
Ukraine	75	1.5%
Russia	75	1.5%
Uzbekistan	70	1.4%
Other countries	965	18.8%

Source: Eurostat (migr_eirfs). What this measures

Orders to leave

3,880 in 2025 (0.60 per 1,000 inhabitants).

Show the figures

people
Period	Orders to leave
2025	3,880
2024	8,470
2023	16,760
2022	4,255
2021	1,370
2020	1,225
2019	1,245
2018	1,305
2017	2,600
2016	14,120
2015	20,810
2014	12,870
2013	5,260
2012	2,050
2011	1,355
2010	1,705
2009	1,465
2008	1,405

Largest citizenships, 2025
Group	People	Share
Morocco	960	24.7%
Afghanistan	945	24.4%
Iraq	465	12.0%
Syria	440	11.3%
Türkiye	215	5.5%
Iran	100	2.6%
Pakistan	80	2.1%
Egypt	75	1.9%
China	65	1.7%
Other countries	535	13.8%

Source: Eurostat (migr_eiord). What this measures

Returns after an order to leave

1,205 in 2025 (0.19 per 1,000 inhabitants).

Show the figures

people
Period	Returns after an order to leave
2025	1,205
2024	965
2023	535
2022	540
2021	685
2020	310
2019	630
2018	710
2017	1,755
2016	1,215
2015	735
2014	1,155
2013	1,100
2012	835
2011	665
2010	295
2009	285
2008	275

Largest citizenships, 2025
Group	People	Share
Syria	390	32.4%
Türkiye	225	18.7%
Iraq	65	5.4%
China	60	5.0%
Lebanon	50	4.1%
Nepal	35	2.9%
Uzbekistan	35	2.9%
Moldova	30	2.5%
Russia	30	2.5%
Other countries	285	23.7%

Source: Eurostat (migr_eirtn). What this measures

Regions of Bulgaria

The figures Eurostat publishes for each region. Asylum, permits, naturalisations, returns and countries of origin are published for the whole country only.

Map

per 1,000 inhabitants

below 0
under 6.4
6.4 to 7.2
7.2 to 8.7
8.7 to 8.7
8.7 and over
no figures

Point at a region, or select it, to see its figure.

Region shapes: Natural Earth, joined into regions with Wikidata; they are drawn for orientation and are not official boundaries.

Regions of Bulgaria: net migration, residents born abroad, foreign citizens and employment rate
Region	Net migration, 2024	per 1,000 inhabitants	Born abroad, 2025	Foreign citizens, 2025	Employment rate, born abroad, 2025	born in the country
Severen tsentralen	+1,233	1.8	0.53%	—	—	75.1%
Severoiztochen	+7,173	8.7	0.65%	0.32%	81.0%	79.2%
Severozapaden	-487	-0.70	—	—	—	71.7%
Yugoiztochen	+6,850	7.2	0.54%	0.31%	88.7%	74.9%
Yugozapaden	+13,001	6.4	0.87%	0.72%	51.5%	81.8%
Yuzhen tsentralen	+11,417	8.7	0.43%	0.31%	56.8%	73.1%

Net migration. Net migration plus statistical adjustment of the region in the year, in people and per 1,000 inhabitants (Eurostat's own crude rate). For a region it counts moves to and from the rest of the country as well as from abroad. Eurostat (demo_r_gind3)
Born abroad. Residents aged 15 and over in private households who were born in another country, as a share of all residents of that age. From the EU Labour Force Survey: an estimate, which Eurostat withholds for regions where the sample is too small. Eurostat (lfst_r_lfsd2pwc)
Foreign citizens. Residents aged 15 and over in private households who do not hold the citizenship of the country, as a share of all residents of that age. From the EU Labour Force Survey: an estimate, which Eurostat withholds for regions where the sample is too small. Eurostat (lfst_r_lfsd2pwn)
Employment rate. People in employment as a percentage of residents aged 20 to 64, for those born abroad and for those born in the country. From the EU Labour Force Survey: an estimate, which Eurostat withholds for regions where the sample is too small. Eurostat (lfst_r_lfe2emprc)
— : not published for that region and period.