How many years of comparable data are there for Bulgaria and Romania?

25 years are reported by both, from 1989 to 2023.

Where does this data come from?

World Bank, Poverty and Inequality Platform. Data are based on primary household survey data obtained from government statistical agencies and World Bank country departments. Data for high-income econ, published as Poverty headcount ratio at $4.20 a day (2021 PPP) (% of population). Statizoid refreshes it automatically from the source and publishes the full history for both places.

Bulgaria vs Romania: Poverty headcount ratio at $4.20 a day (2021 PPP)

Bulgaria

1.6%

in 2023

Romania

1.3%

in 2023

Bulgaria rank

73rd

Romania rank

75th

Poverty headcount ratio at $4.20 a day (2021 PPP) over time

Bulgaria
Romania

How they compare

Bulgaria currently reports 1.6% against 1.3% in Romania, a difference of 0.3%.

That makes Bulgaria's figure about 1.2 times Romania's.

The two have swapped places 1 time across 25 shared years of data; in 1989 it was Romania ahead.

Bulgaria ranks 73rd and Romania ranks 75th of 123 countries.

Romania has averaged higher in every one of the 5 decades both report.

Head to head by decade

Decade	Bulgaria	Romania	Difference	Ahead
1980s	0.0%	0.0%	0.0%	—
1990s	3.2%	15.7%	12.5%	Romania
2000s	6.5%	16.0%	9.4%	Romania
2010s	4.7%	10.7%	6.0%	Romania
2020s	1.7%	2.8%	1.1%	Romania

Averages of every year both report within each decade.

Frequently asked questions

Which has higher poverty headcount ratio at $4.20 a day (2021 ppp), Bulgaria or Romania?: Bulgaria, at 1.6% against 1.3% in Romania as of 2023.
What is the difference in poverty headcount ratio at $4.20 a day (2021 ppp) between Bulgaria and Romania?: 0.3%, with Bulgaria ahead.
How many years of comparable data are there for Bulgaria and Romania?: 25 years are reported by both, from 1989 to 2023.
How do Bulgaria and Romania rank globally for poverty headcount ratio at $4.20 a day (2021 ppp)?: Bulgaria ranks 73rd and Romania ranks 75th of 123 countries.
Where does this data come from?: World Bank, Poverty and Inequality Platform. Data are based on primary household survey data obtained from government statistical agencies and World Bank country departments. Data for high-income econ, published as Poverty headcount ratio at $4.20 a day (2021 PPP) (% of population). Statizoid refreshes it automatically from the source and publishes the full history for both places.

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Bulgaria vs Romania: Poverty headcount ratio at $4.20 a day (2021 PPP). Statizoid, drawing on World Bank, Poverty and Inequality Platform. Data are based on primary household survey data obtained from government statistical agencies and World Bank country departments. Data for high-income econ. Retrieved 14 September 2026, from https://poverty.statizoid.com/compare/poverty-headcount-ratio-at-4-20-a-day-2021-ppp-percent-of-population/bulgaria/romania/

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<a href="https://poverty.statizoid.com/compare/poverty-headcount-ratio-at-4-20-a-day-2021-ppp-percent-of-population/bulgaria/romania/">Bulgaria vs Romania: Poverty headcount ratio at $4.20 a day (2021 PPP)</a> — Statizoid

About this data

Indicator: Poverty headcount ratio at $4.20 a day (2021 PPP) (% of population)
Unit: % of population
Source: World Bank, Poverty and Inequality Platform. Data are based on primary household survey data obtained from government statistical agencies and World Bank country departments. Data for high-income econ
Licence: CC BY 4.0 (World Bank Open Data)
Coverage: 137 places, 2,872 data points, 1963–2025
Last refreshed: 03 September 2026

Poverty headcount ratio at $4.20 a day is the percentage of the population living on less than $4.20 a day at 2021 international prices.