Bulgaria

Prior to the reform effort launched in 2002 (that continued through 2015), the Bulgarian armed forces totaled some 51,000 active-duty personnel, including about 49,000 conscripts. By the end of 2005, the total armed forces had been reduced to 45,000 active-duty personnel, primarily by discharging conscripts and reducing the number of conscripts inducted annually. Further reductions outlined in succeeding white papers have resulted in the current force totals.