Falling to a series low
Bulgaria Coal Production moved from 35.90 Million Tonnes in 2015 to 21.00 Million Tonnes in 2023 (−41.5%), an average of −6.5% a year. The series high was 35.90 Million Tonnes in 2015 and the low 21.00 Million Tonnes in 2023.
What Bulgaria Coal Production shows
Bulgaria Coal Production was 21.00 Million Tonnes in 2023, down 41% on 2022. The Coal Production dataset for Bulgaria from 2015 to 2023 provides a comprehensive overview of the country's coal production volumes, mining activity, and developments across the coal sector. Measured in million tonnes, the dataset records annual coal output and serves as an important indicator of mining performance, domestic resource utilization, electricity fuel supply, and industrial activity.
A 41.5% peak-to-trough swing
The gap between the series high (2015) and low (2023) is 14.90 Million Tonnes. The sharpest single-year move was −41% in 2023.
Ranks 18 of 30 countries covered
Among the 30 countries in this dataset, Bulgaria ranks 18 for 2023, behind China (4,710 Million Tonnes) and India (1,011 Million Tonnes). It accounts for 0.2% of the global total in 2023.
Full series
Bulgaria Coal Production by year
Complete annual series with year-on-year change. Values are reported in Million Tonnes.
Scroll the table sideways to see all columns.
| Year | Million Tonnes | Change vs prior year |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 Trough | 21.00 | −41% |
| 2022 | 35.60 | +25.4% |
| 2021 | 28.40 | +25.7% |
| 2020 | 22.60 | −20.1% |
| 2019 | 28.30 | −7.5% |
| 2018 | 30.60 | −10.8% |
| 2017 | 34.30 | +9.6% |
| 2016 | 31.30 | −12.8% |
| 2015Peak | 35.90 | — |
Regional context
How Bulgaria compares in Europe
Coal Production by country, 2023, Million Tonnes. Bulgaria is highlighted.
1Germany102.3
2Poland88.70
3Turkey66.40
4Serbia31.90
5Czech Republic30.00
6Bulgaria21.00
7Romania14.80
8Greece10.90
Data definition
Inclusions and exclusions
Coal Production — - Coal Production refers to the total amount of coal extracted from surface and underground mines within a country during a given year. It is typically measured in million tonnes and represents the output of raw coal before processing or consumption. The indicator includes the extraction of various coal types used for energy generation and industrial applications, reflecting a country's coal resource utilization, mining activity, and contribution to domestic and global coal supply. Coal Production is widely used to assess the performance of the mining sector, energy security, industrial development, and the availability of coal as a primary energy source.
The data includes the production of all major types of coal, including anthracite, bituminous coal, sub-bituminous coal, lignite (brown coal), and other commercially recoverable coal grades, where reported under national energy statistics. It covers coal extracted from both surface (open-pit) and underground mining operations for use in electricity generation, steel production, cement manufacturing, industrial processes, and other commercial applications. Production from both public and private mining operations is included, regardless of whether the coal is consumed domestically or exported. Data is compiled using standardized international energy reporting methodologies based on national mining statistics and industry sources, enabling consistent comparison of coal production across countries and over time.
The data excludes coal consumption, coal imports and exports, coal reserves, coal stock changes, and coal used after processing into secondary energy products. It also excludes coal-derived products such as coke, coke oven gas, coal tar, coal bed methane, synthetic fuels produced through coal-to-liquids (CTL) technologies, and other processed coal products unless specifically included in the reporting methodology. The indicator does not measure mining productivity, coal quality, calorific value, environmental impacts, or greenhouse gas emissions associated with coal production or use. Minor differences may occur due to variations in national reporting standards, coal classifications, moisture adjustments, and statistical estimation methodologies across countries.
About this indicator
Coal Production — - Coal Production refers to the total amount of coal extracted from surface and underground mines within a country during a given year. It is typically measured in million tonnes and represents the output of raw coal before processing or consumption. The indicator includes the extraction of various coal types used for energy generation and industrial applications, reflecting a country's coal resource utilization, mining activity, and contribution to domestic and global coal supply. Coal Production is widely used to assess the performance of the mining sector, energy security, industrial development, and the availability of coal as a primary energy source.
It supports assessments of production trends, market developments, and the contribution of coal to Bulgaria's energy sector.
Bulgaria produced 35.9 million tonnes of coal in 2015, with production declining to 31.3 million tonnes in 2016 before recovering to 34.3 million tonnes in 2017. Output fell to 30.6 million tonnes in 2018 and continued declining to 28.3 million tonnes in 2019. Coal production decreased further to 22.6 million tonnes in 2020, reflecting weaker energy demand and mining activity. Output recovered to 28.4 million tonnes in 2021 and increased significantly to 35.6 million tonnes in 2022 amid higher electricity demand. In 2023, production declined sharply to 21.0 million tonnes, marking the lowest level during the review period.
Overall, the dataset highlights a generally downward trend in Bulgaria's coal production despite temporary recoveries during the review period. The fluctuations reflect changing electricity demand, energy market conditions, environmental policies, and the country's gradual transition toward cleaner energy sources while maintaining coal as part of its power generation mix.
The dataset is valuable for evaluating Bulgaria's coal mining industry, analyzing production performance, and assessing long-term developments in the country's energy sector. It supports market research, investment analysis, infrastructure planning, policy formulation, and strategic decision-making by providing insights into coal production trends, mining activity, and resource utilization.
- Indicator
- Coal Production
- Country
- Bulgaria
- Region
- Europe
- Unit
- Million Tonnes
- Coverage
- 2015–2023, annual
- Category
- Energy & Power
- Last updated
- July 2026
- Source
- energyinst.org
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Frequently asked questions
What is Bulgaria Coal Production?
Definition- Coal Production refers to the total amount of coal extracted from surface and underground mines within a country during a given year. It is typically measured in million tonnes and represents the output of raw coal before processing or consumption. The indicator includes the extraction of various coal types used for energy generation and industrial applications, reflecting a country's coal resource utilization, mining activity, and contribution to domestic and global coal supply. Coal Production is widely used to assess the performance of the mining sector, energy security, industrial development, and the availability of coal as a primary energy source.
What was Bulgaria Coal Production in 2023?
Bulgaria Coal Production was 21.00 Million Tonnes in 2023, down 41% on 2022.
How has Bulgaria Coal Production changed between 2015 and 2023?
Bulgaria Coal Production moved from 35.90 Million Tonnes in 2015 to 21.00 Million Tonnes in 2023 (−41.5%), an average of −6.5% a year. The series high was 35.90 Million Tonnes in 2015 and the low 21.00 Million Tonnes in 2023.
Which year had the highest and lowest Bulgaria Coal Production?
The highest value was 35.90 Million Tonnes in 2015 and the lowest was 21.00 Million Tonnes in 2023.
What does the Bulgaria Coal Production data include and exclude?
Included: The data includes the production of all major types of coal, including anthracite, bituminous coal, sub-bituminous coal, lignite (brown coal), and other commercially recoverable coal grades, where reported under national energy statistics. It covers coal extracted from both surface (open-pit) and underground mining operations for use in electricity generation, steel production, cement manufacturing, industrial processes, and other commercial applications. Production from both public and private mining operations is included, regardless of whether the coal is consumed domestically or exported. Data is compiled using standardized international energy reporting methodologies based on national mining statistics and industry sources, enabling consistent comparison of coal production across countries and over time. Excluded: The data excludes coal consumption, coal imports and exports, coal reserves, coal stock changes, and coal used after processing into secondary energy products. It also excludes coal-derived products such as coke, coke oven gas, coal tar, coal bed methane, synthetic fuels produced through coal-to-liquids (CTL) technologies, and other processed coal products unless specifically included in the reporting methodology. The indicator does not measure mining productivity, coal quality, calorific value, environmental impacts, or greenhouse gas emissions associated with coal production or use. Minor differences may occur due to variations in national reporting standards, coal classifications, moisture adjustments, and statistical estimation methodologies across countries.
Where does the Bulgaria Coal Production data come from?
The series is sourced from energyinst.org (https://www.energyinst.org/__data/assets/pdf_file/0006/1542714/684_EI_Stat_Review_V16_DIGITAL.pdf). It covers 2015–2023 and is reported in Million Tonnes.
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