Address
Human Resource Development Centre
Education Research and Planning Unit
Eurydice Unit
15, Graf Ignatiev Str.
BG-1000 Sofia
Tel: +359 2 91 550 37
E-Mail: eurydicebg@hrdc.bg
Website
This section provides data for 2024/25 on the number of educational institutions at pre-primary, primary, secondary and post-secondary non-tertiary education level (ISCED levels 0-4) in the Bulgarian education system. Information on tertiary education institutions (ISCED levels 5-8) can be found in the European Tertiary Education Register, and a general overview of adult education and training can be found in the respective chapter on adult education.
Table 1. Statistics on educational institutions providing regular education 2024/25
| Type of educational institution | ISCED levels | Main orientation | Total number | Public | Gov. dependent private | Private independent |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kindergartens (Detski gradini) | 0 | - | 1,830 | 1,705 | - | 125 |
| General and Special schools, incl: | 1, 2, 3 | G, V | 1,920 | 1,826 | - | 94 |
| Primary (I - IV grade) | 1 | - | 129 | 119 | - | 10 |
| Basic (I - VII grade) | 1, 2 | G | 1,110 | 1,080 | - | 30 |
| Integrated (I - X grade) | 1, 2 | G | 70 | 70 | - | - |
| Upper secondary (VIII - XII grade) | 3 | G, V | 114 | 96 | - | 18 |
| Secondary (I - XII grade) | 1, 2, 3 | G, V | 505 | 469 | - | 36 |
| Vocational schools, incl: | 3, 4 | V | 418 | 392 | - | 26 |
| Art schools | 3, 4 | V | 21 | 21 | - | - |
| Sport schools | 3, 4 | V | 25 | 25 | - | - |
| Vocational gymnasiums | 3, 4 | V | 355 | 342 | - | 13 |
| Vocational colleges | 3, 4 | V | 17 | 4 | - | 13 |
*Note: Includes Bulgarian schools abroad financed by the state.
Table 2. Statistics on separate educational institutions providing special needs education 2024/25
| Type of educational institution | ISCED levels | Main orientation | Total number | Public | Gov. dependent private | Private independent |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Correctional boarding schools | 1, 2, 3 | G | 2 | 2 | - | - |
| Social-pedagogic boarding schools | 2, 3 | G | 1 | 1 | - | - |
| Schools for hard of hearing pupils | 2, 3 | G | 3 | 3 | - | - |
| Schools for visually handicapped pupils | 2, 3 | G | 2 | 2 | - | - |
Methodological Notes
- Source of Data: National Statistical Institute (NSI), Education in the Republic of Bulgaria 2025, Data as of December 31, 2024.
- Classification: International Standard Classification of Education (ISCED 2011).
- Institution Definition: An educational institution is defined as an independent center with its own manager (director or rector) that performs educational services.
- Coverage: Data covers all governmental, municipal, and legally established private kindergartens and schools.
- Orientation: For ISCED levels 2, 3, and 4, the orientation is specified as general (G) and/or vocational (V). For ISCED levels 0 and 1, orientation is not applicable (-).
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