site.btaMoney in Circulation in Bulgaria Crosses BGN 30 Billion Mark for First Time, BNB Data Shows

The total value of money in circulation in Bulgaria passed the BGN 30 billion mark for the first time. As of the end of September, the banknotes and coins circulating in the Bulgarian economy amounted to BGN 30.356 billion, according to the regular quarterly publication of the Bulgarian National Bank, published on the institution's website.

Compared to the end of September 2007, when Bulgaria became a member of the European Union, the total value of money in circulation was BGN 7.568 billion, which means that over the last 17 years, the value of banknotes and coins has almost quadrupled.

The threshold of BGN 30 billion in banknotes and coins in circulation was reached in August. By the end of September, the total value of money in circulation increased by 6.8% or BGN 1.928 billion compared to the same period in 2023. For the July-September period, the total value of banknotes and coins in circulation increased by 3.2% or BGN 942.3 million compared to the previous quarter.

By the end of September, banknotes in circulation reached 604.9 million pieces, up 2.4% Q/Q. The total value of banknotes amounted to BGN 29.695 billion, registering an increase of 3.2% compared to the previous quarter.

Over the past year, the number of banknotes in circulation increased by 15 million pieces or 2.5% and their value by BGN 1.892 billion or 6.8%.

In comparison, a year earlier the number and total value of banknotes in circulation were 589.9 million pieces and BGN 27.802 billion, respectively, BNB data shows.

The BGN 50 banknote was the most common in the country at the end of September with a share of 41.5% of the total or 251.1 million pieces. In terms of the value of banknotes outside the BNB's coffers, the BGN 100 denomination has the highest share - 47.8% of the total value or BGN 14.212 billion.

By the end of September 2024, the coins in circulation reached 3.315 billion pieces, increasing by 34.2 million pieces or 1% compared to the end of the previous quarter. The total value of coins in circulation amounted to BGN 615.5 million as of the end of the third quarter of this year, increasing by 1.7% or BGN 10.4 million.

Year on year, the total number of coins in circulation increased by BGN 140.1 million or 4.4% and their value by BGN 35.6 million or 6.1%.

The most numerous coins were those of 1 stotinka (BGN 0.01) with a share of 27.7% or 919.7 million pieces, and in terms of value the leader is the BGN 1 coin with a share of 32% of the total value or BGN 197.2 million.

The total value of commemorative coins in circulation in the country amounts to BGN 2 million. As of September 30, the share of commemorative coins in the total value of money in circulation was 0.01% and remained unchanged compared to the end of June 2024.