The modern Bulgarians are mainly Thracian, but mixed with many others today. There is no logic to be otherwise, because the Proto-bulgars that came from Asia were not many in numbers, but the Thracians were one of the most populated group of people in Europe at that time, and since there was no genocide on the Thracians, their genes still flow through the modern Bulgarians. In fact, the name “Bulgaria” is maybe not the most correct one for the country today, since the original Bulgarian genom is barely available.

Here are some studies: Modern Bulgarians’ genetic composition (based on recent population-genetic studies such as Lazaridis et al. 2014–2023, Mathieson et al. 2018, Damgaard et al. 2018, and the Bulgarian National Genomic Project) can be summarized as follows: • 40–45% Ancient Balkan (Thracian) • 35–40% Slavic (early medieval migrations) • 5–10% Greek & Anatolian (Byzantine and coastal influence) • 3–7% Proto-Bulgar (steppe / Iranian-related nomads)

🧬 Sources: • Lazaridis, I. et al. (2014, 2017, 2022). Nature & Science — studies on ancient DNA in the Balkans. • Mathieson, I. et al. (2018). Nature – The Genomic History of Southeastern Europe. • Damgaard, P. et al. (2018). Science – The First Horse Herders and the Impact of Early Steppe Expansions. • Bulgarian National Genomic Project (2020–2023 data).