Bulgaria GDP Growth Rate (2026)
Bulgaria has an emerging European economy supported by services, manufacturing, exports, tourism, and household consumption. This page examines its GDP growth trend, historical performance, regional position, and outlook.
GDP Growth Rate 2026
+2.8%
Annual real GDP growth
World Rank
#106
Out of 195 countries
Change vs 2025
-0.3 pp
2025: +3.1%
Europe Rank
#9
Out of 43 countries
1. Bulgaria GDP Growth Rate in 2026
Bulgarian economic growth is supported by consumer demand, investment, industrial activity, exports, and European funding. Regional demand and labor-market conditions remain important.
2. Bulgaria GDP Growth Rate Trends (1980–2026)
Bulgaria’s growth history reflects economic transition, European integration, rising investment, and productivity improvements. Services and manufacturing have become important long-term drivers.
3. Bulgaria GDP Growth Rate (Historical Data)
| Year | GDP Growth Rate | Change (pp) |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | +2.8% | -0.3 pp |
| 2025 | +3.1% | -0.3 pp |
| 2024 | +3.4% | +1.7 pp |
| 2023 | +1.7% | -2.4 pp |
| 2022 | +4.1% | -3.7 pp |
| 2021 | +7.8% | +10.9 pp |
| 2020 | -3.1% | -6.9 pp |
| 2019 | +3.8% | +1.5 pp |
| 2018 | +2.3% | -0.4 pp |
| 2017 | +2.7% | -0.3 pp |
| 2016 | +3.0% | -0.4 pp |
| 2015 | +3.4% | +2.5 pp |
| 2014 | +0.9% | +1.4 pp |
| 2013 | -0.5% | -1.2 pp |
| 2012 | +0.7% | -1.4 pp |
| 2011 | +2.1% | +0.5 pp |
| 2010 | +1.6% | +4.9 pp |
| 2009 | -3.3% | -9.4 pp |
| 2008 | +6.1% | -0.6 pp |
| 2007 | +6.7% | -0.1 pp |
| 2006 | +6.8% | -0.3 pp |
| 2005 | +7.1% | +0.6 pp |
| 2004 | +6.5% | +1.3 pp |
| 2003 | +5.2% | -0.7 pp |
| 2002 | +5.9% | +2.1 pp |
| 2001 | +3.8% | -0.8 pp |
| 2000 | +4.6% | +13.0 pp |
| 1999 | -8.4% | -12.2 pp |
| 1998 | +3.8% | +17.9 pp |
| 1997 | -14.1% | -19.3 pp |
| 1996 | +5.2% | +6.8 pp |
| 1995 | -1.6% | +2.1 pp |
| 1994 | -3.7% | +7.9 pp |
| 1993 | -11.6% | -3.2 pp |
| 1992 | -8.4% | +2.4 pp |
| 1991 | -10.8% | -1.7 pp |
| 1990 | -9.1% | -8.6 pp |
| 1989 | -0.5% | -2.9 pp |
| 1988 | +2.4% | -2.3 pp |
| 1987 | +4.7% | -0.6 pp |
| 1986 | +5.3% | +3.5 pp |
| 1985 | +1.8% | -2.8 pp |
| 1984 | +4.6% | +1.6 pp |
| 1983 | +3.0% | -1.2 pp |
| 1982 | +4.2% | -1.1 pp |
| 1981 | +5.3% | -0.4 pp |
| 1980 | +5.7% | — |
4. Bulgaria GDP Growth Performance
Current Growth Rate
+2.8%
(2026 to 2026)
5-Year Average
+3.0%
(2022 to 2026)
10-Year Average
+2.9%
(2017 to 2026)
20-Year Average
+2.5%
(2007 to 2026)
The economy benefits from European funding, competitive labor costs, and improving domestic demand. Demographic pressures and weaker external demand can limit stronger expansion.
5. Bulgaria GDP Growth Rate vs Europe and World
Bulgaria
+2.8%
Europe Average
+1.9%
World Average
+2.8%
0.0%
1.4%
2.8%
Annual real GDP growth (%)
Bulgaria’s GDP growth rate is approximately
0.9 pp
above the
Europe average
and
0.0 pp
below the world average.
6. Bulgaria GDP Growth Rate Ranking in Europe
| Rank | Country | GDP Growth Rate |
|---|---|---|
| #5 | North Macedonia | +3.1% |
| #6 | Lithuania | +2.9% |
| #7 | Serbia | +2.8% |
| #8 | Montenegro | +2.8% |
| #9 | Bulgaria | +2.8% |
| #10 | Croatia | +2.6% |
| #11 | Ireland | +2.5% |
| #12 | Czech Republic | +2.2% |
| #13 | Latvia | +2.2% |
7. Top 10 Fastest-Growing Countries in the World (2026)
8. GDP Growth Rate and Economy Size in Bulgaria
Bulgaria GDP (Nominal)
$148.1 Billion
(2026)
Bulgaria GDP Growth Rate
+2.8%
(2026)
Bulgaria often grows faster than mature Western European economies as income levels continue to converge. Its performance remains closely linked to wider European economic conditions.
Explore more:
Bulgaria GDP
9. Bulgaria GDP Growth Rate Forecast
The outlook depends on investment, consumption, European funding, and industrial activity. Population decline, labor shortages, and external weakness remain important risks.
| Year | GDP Growth Rate | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2027 | +2.5% | -0.3 pp |
| 2028 | +2.8% | +0.3 pp |
| 2029 | +2.6% | -0.2 pp |
| 2030 | +2.6% | 0.0 pp |
10. Bulgaria GDP Growth Rate: Key Findings
Bulgaria GDP growth rate is estimated at +2.8% in 2026.
It ranks #106 globally and #9 in Europe by annual GDP growth rate.
The growth rate slowed by 0.3 percentage points compared with 2025.
The 5-year average GDP growth rate is +3.0%.
The 10-year average GDP growth rate is +2.9%.
The current rate is 0.9 percentage points above the Europe average.
The current rate is 0.0 percentage points below the world average.
The forecast GDP growth rate is +2.6% in 2030, 0.2 percentage points below the 2026 rate.
11. What Is GDP Growth Rate?
GDP growth rate measures the percentage change in a country’s real gross domestic product from one period to the next, usually year over year.
GDP Growth Rate
=
(Real GDPₜ − Real GDPₜ₋₁)
÷
Real GDPₜ₋₁ × 100
A positive rate indicates economic expansion, while a negative rate indicates contraction. Real GDP growth is preferred for growth comparisons because it adjusts for price changes.
12. Methodology and Data Sources
Primary Source:
International Monetary Fund (IMF)
Additional Source:
World Bank
Measure:
Annual percentage change in real GDP
Unit:
Percent (%)
Comparisons:
Year-to-year rate differences are shown in percentage points (pp)
Update Frequency:
Annually and when new forecasts are released
Last Updated:
September 2026
13. Bulgaria GDP Growth Rate FAQs
Bulgaria GDP growth rate is estimated at +2.8% in 2026.
Bulgaria ranks #106 globally and #9 in Europe by annual GDP growth rate.
The economy is expanding, with real GDP growth of approximately +2.8% in 2026.
Bulgaria GDP growth rate was +3.4% in 2015.
Bulgaria GDP growth rate is 0.9 percentage points above the Europe average.
15. Explore GDP Growth Rate
Disclaimer:
All data are estimates based on IMF, World Bank,
United Nations and related economic datasets.
Figures may differ from official national statistics.