Bulgaria

There were 2,647,100 internet users in Bulgaria (representing 36.7% of the population) in December 2009, according to Internet World Stats. This was up by 515.6% compared to 2000. (Internet World Stats, April 2010)

The share of individuals regularly using the internet in Bulgaria in 2009 stood at 39.7%, while the average growth rate for the period 2004-2009 was 6.5% points, according to the results of the Survey 2009 on ICT usage in households and by individuals aged between 16 and 74.

Share of individuals between 16 and 74 years old in Bulgaria regularly using the internet (every day or at least once a week):
- 2004: 13.5%
- 2006: 21.8%
- 2007: 28.4%
- 2008: 33.0%
- 2009: 39.7%

While 41.5% of internet users have surfed at home in the last three months in 2004, this share in 2009 reached 86.0%.

The most active age group among the population that regularly used the internet in 2009 is from those aged between 16 and 24 years old.  The proportion of individuals going online from this group has increased by 41.7% in the last five years reaching 75.1% in 2009.

Age structure of individuals between 16 and 74 years old regularly using the internet (every day or at least once a week) in 2009:
- 16-24: 75.1%
- 25-34: 60.1%
- 35-44: 46.8%
- 45-54: 32.0%
- 55-64: 13.9%
- 65-74: 3.1%
(National Statistical Institute of Bulgaria, January 2010)

ICT penetration in households in Bulgaria has increased vastly in the last few years and the survey results confirm that the percentage of households online increased by 4.3% in 2009 compared to the previous year, according to the results of the Survey 2009 on ICT usage in households and by individuals aged between 16 and 74.

Share of households with internet access at home, in Bulgaria 2006-2009:
- 2006: 17.0%
- 2007: 19.0%
- 2008: 25.3%
- 2009: 29.6%

With the greatest number of internet providers, good infrastructure and strong consumer demand, the South West district (that includes the capital) has the biggest share of households online (37.3%) in 2009.

Structure of households having internet access at home in 2009 by districts:
- North West: 10.8%
-  North Central: 10.1%
-  North East: 11.7%
- South East: 13.3%
- South West: 37.3%
- South Central: 16.8%
(National Statistical Institute of Bulgaria, January 2010)

The level of individuals in Bulgaria who have purchased good or services online in the first three months of 2009 remained small (3.3%), according to the results of the Survey 2009 on ICT usage in households and by individuals aged between 16 and 74.

The main reason not to use the internet to shop online was the fact that people prefer to go shopping and to see the product (21.7%) and 19.4% indicating that they do not need to purchase over the internet.

Share of individuals between 16 and 74 years old in Bulgaria who have purchased goods or services online 2007-2009:
- 2007: 1.7%
- 2008: 1.7%
- 2009: 3.3%
(National Statistical Institute of Bulgaria, January 2010)