About the province
Vidin at a Glance
The economy in figures
| Indicator | Vidin Province | Bulgaria |
|---|---|---|
| Average gross pay, second quarter of 2026 | €1,025 | €1,444 |
| Registered unemployment, August 2026 | 14.70% | 5.47% |
| GDP per person in purchasing power, 2024 (EU = 100) | 34 | 66 |
| GDP per person, 2024 | €8,278 | – |
| Foreign investment per person, 2024 | €605 | – |
| Exports, share of company sales, 2024 | 12.39% | – |
| Residents aged 25–64 with a degree, 2025 | 21.8% | – |
| Residents aged 65 and over, 2025 | 31.63% | – |
Source: Institute for Market Economics: Regional Profiles 2026, Vidin Province; WageCentre: Average salary in Bulgaria by province, second quarter of 2026 (NSI preliminary data); Employment Agency: Registered unemployment by province, August 2026; Eurostat: Gross domestic product by NUTS 3 region (nama_10r_3gdp)1,2,3,4
IME says Vidin still has the lowest share of working-age population and the highest unemployment of all provinces, though both are improving. It also ranks lowest for domestic and foreign investment, and has the least favourable demographic picture in the country.1
Registered unemployment was 14.7% in August 2026, and 31.63% of residents were aged 65 or over in 2025.3,1
Industry and investment
The state Industrial Park Vidin by the Danube and the private Vidin South park on the former tyre-factory site are covered in the Vidin city guide. The National Company Industrial Zones lists Vidin among its operating zones.11
Bulgarian Wikipedia says the province has few minerals; the most important is the gypsum deposit at Koshava, with 90% of Bulgaria’s reserves. English Wikipedia names a rubber and plastics plant as the main industry in Kula.8,10
Transport and borders
The New Europe Bridge between Vidin and Calafat, a road and rail bridge built for €226 million, opened on 15 June 2013. It is the second bridge on the shared section of the Danube.7
Bulgarian Wikipedia says the port of Vidin is the first on the Bulgarian section of the Danube and serves a regular ro-ro line to Passau. Kula lies 13 km from the Vrashka Chuka crossing into Serbia.8,10
The Vidin–Botevgrad road is being rebuilt in stages: the 13.6 km Makresh–Bela section opened in March 2024, and works further south have slowed. Motorways and first-class roads made up 13.36% of the province’s road network in 2025.9,1
Municipalities and towns
| Municipality | 2021 census | End of 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Vidin | 47,847 | 44,089 |
| Belogradchik | 5,049 | 4,653 |
| Dimovo | 4,810 | 4,571 |
| Bregovo | 3,926 | 3,411 |
| Ruzhintsi | 3,299 | 3,015 |
| Kula | 3,292 | 2,902 |
| Novo Selo | 2,375 | 2,270 |
| Chuprene | 1,635 | 1,568 |
| Gramada | 1,345 | 1,217 |
| Makresh | 1,067 | 1,075 |
| Boynitsa | 763 | 694 |
Source: City Population, from NSI data: Bulgaria, provinces and municipalities5
Vidin Municipality holds almost two-thirds of the province’s residents. Belogradchik and Kula follow, and several municipalities have fewer than 2,000 residents.5
Education and skills
21.8% of residents aged 25–64 had a university degree in 2025, and IME records 4.14 university students per 1,000 residents. The University of Ruse has a branch in Vidin.1
Tourism and nature
English Wikipedia says there are around 80 caves near the Serbian border, the best known being Magura, with cave paintings, and the Belogradchik Rocks rise on the slopes of the Balkan Mountains. The Belogradchik town guide covers the town.6
Tourist accommodation recorded 1,124 nights per 1,000 residents in 2025, and forests cover 26.22% of the province.1
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average salary in Vidin Province?
Preliminary NSI data put the average gross salary at €1,025 a month in the second quarter of 2026, against €1,444 for Bulgaria.
How high is unemployment in Vidin Province?
Registered unemployment was 14.7% in August 2026, against 5.47% nationally.
Is there a bridge from Vidin to Romania?
Yes. The New Europe Bridge to Calafat, for road and rail, opened in June 2013.
Are there industrial parks in Vidin?
Yes, the state Industrial Park Vidin by the Danube and the private Vidin South park.
How many people live in Vidin Province?
69,465 at the end of 2025, in 11 municipalities.
Sources
- Institute for Market Economics: Regional Profiles 2026, Vidin Province (in Bulgarian)
- WageCentre: Average salary in Bulgaria by province, second quarter of 2026 (NSI preliminary data)
- Employment Agency: Registered unemployment by province, August 2026 (in Bulgarian)
- Eurostat: Gross domestic product by NUTS 3 region (nama_10r_3gdp)
- City Population, from NSI data: Bulgaria, provinces and municipalities
- Wikipedia: Vidin Province
- Wikipedia: New Europe Bridge
- Wikipedia (Bulgarian): Област Видин
- Economic.bg: Two sections of the Vidin–Botevgrad road may be ready next year (in Bulgarian)
- Wikipedia: Kula, Bulgaria
- National Company Industrial Zones
Figures checked 11 November 2026. Information only, not investment, tax or legal advice.
