Key indicators for Bulgaria - Lastest data as of July 3, 2025

This update: 3 July 2025

Next update: 2 October 2025

Output

In June 2025, the industrial confidence indicator decreased by 0.7 percentage points in comparison with May 2025, according to the business inquiries of NSI.

In April 2025, a decrease of 10.4% was registered in the calendar-adjusted Industrial Production Index in comparison with the same month in 2024. On an annual basis, a decrease of the Industrial Production Index was observed in the electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply - by 18.7%, in the manufacturing - by 7.0%, and in the mining and quarrying industry - by 3.9%.

The calendar-adjusted data showed a rise of 7.0% in the construction production compared to the same month of 2024. A rise of the production was registered in the specialized construction activities - by 10.8%, in the civil engineering - by 8.1%, and in the construction of buildings - by 3.1%.

According to the preliminary data, the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) at current prices for the first quarter of 2025 is 45 617.3 million BGN. The GDP per person is 7 093 BGN. At an average for the quarter exchange rate of 1.859196 BGN for 1 USD the GDP is 24 536 million USD, or 3 815 USD per person. In Euro terms, GDP reaches 23 324 million EUR in total and 3 626 EUR per person.

Private consumption

In April 2025, the total consumer confidence indicator increased by 3.1 percentage points compared to its January level. An improvement of the consumer confidence among both urban and rural inhabitants - by 2.3 and 4.8 percentage points, respectively, was reported. The consumers’ opinions about the development of the general economic situation in the country over the last 12 months and the expectations over the next 12 months, were less negative compared to the previous survey.

The calendar-adjusted retail trade turnover rose by 2.4% compared to the same month in 2024. In April 2025, compared to the same month of 2024, a rise of the turnover was registered in all groups: ‘Retail sales of automotive fuel in specialised stores’ - by 9.8%, ‘Retail sales of non-food products (except fuel)’ - by 2.7%, and ‘Retail sales of food, beverages and tobacco’ - by 0.1%.

During the first quarter of 2025, 74.7% of GDP was spent on individual consumption. The indicator increased by 8.0% in real terms compared to the respective quarter of 2024 (according to seasonally adjusted data).

Investment

The relative share of gross fixed capital formation in GDP in the first quarter of 2025 was 14.9%. The indicator increased by 7.9% in real terms compared to the same period of the previous year, according to seasonally adjusted data.

In April 2025, in comparison with January 2025, a decrease of the average capacity utilization in the industry (by 1.3 percentage point) was observed and it reached 72.9%, according to the business inquiries of NSI.

Labour market

In the first quarter of 2025, there were 2 910.9 thousand employed persons, of whom 1 546.1 thousand men and 1 364.8 thousand women. The employment rate for the population aged 15 years and over was 52.8%, 59.1% for men and 47.2% for women.

In the first quarter of 2025, there were 116.7 thousand unemployed persons, of whom 63.0 thousand (53.9%) men and 53.7 thousand (46.1%) women. The unemployment rate was 3.9%, 3.9% for men and 3.8% for women, respectively.

In the first quarter of 2025, compared to the first quarter of 2024, the total hourly labour cost rose by 12.4% (preliminary data). The total hourly labour cost increased by 14.1% in industry, 11.8% in services and 19.7% in construction.

In June 2025, 36.7% of the industrial enterprises pointed out the labour shortage as a factor limiting their activity, according to the business inquiries of NSI.

In March 2025, the average gross wage and salary was BGN 2 556 and increased by 8.0% compared to the previous month, and by 11.1% compared to March 2024.

International transactions¹

In June 2025, the production assurance with orders from abroad increased by 1.9 percentage points in comparison with May 2025, according to the industrial managers’ assessments registered by the business inquiries of NSI.

The current account² was negative amounting to EUR 724.9 million in April 2025, compared with a negative balance of EUR 505.8 million in April 2024. In January - April 2025 the current account was negative and amounted to EUR 2 222.3 million (2% of GDP), compared with a deficit of EUR 771.8 million (0.7% of GDP) in January - April 2024.

The trade balance² recorded a deficit of EUR 824.8 million in April 2025, compared with a negative balance of EUR 460.9 million in April 2024. In January - April 2025 the balance on goods was negative amounting to EUR 2 921.4 million (2.7% of GDP), compared with a deficit of EUR 1 507.9 million (1.5% of GDP) in January - April 2024.

Exports of goods² amounted to EUR 3 379.8 million in April 2025, dropping by EUR 340.3 million (9.1%) from EUR 3 720 million in April 2024. In January - April 2025 exports of goods totalled EUR 13 422.6 million (12.3% of GDP), dropping by EUR 541.9 million (3.9%) year-on-year (from EUR 13 964.5 million, 13.5% of GDP). In January - April 2024 exports decreased by 4.9% year-on-year.

Imports of goods² amounted to EUR 4 204.6 million in April 2025, increasing by EUR 23.7 million (0.6%) from April 2024 (EUR 4 180.9 million). In January - April 2025 imports of goods totalled EUR 16 344 million (15% of GDP), growing by EUR 871.7 million (5.6%) from January - April 2024 (EUR 15 472.4 million, 14.9% of GDP). In January - April 2024 imports decreased by 1.7% year-on-year.

The direct investment abroad² dropped by EUR 24.4 million in April 2025, compared with an increase of EUR 268.6 million in April 2024. In January - April 2025 direct investment abroad rose by EUR 99.8 million, compared with an increase of EUR 378.8 million in January - April 2024.

The net direct investment² was positive amounting to EUR 89.8 million, compared with a positive balance of EUR 490.9 million in April 2024. In January - April 2025 direct investment recorded an outflow of EUR 1 017.1 million (0.9% of GDP), compared with a negative balance of EUR 497 million (0.5% of GDP) in January - April 2024.

The foreign direct investment in Bulgaria² (under the directional principle) decreased by EUR 114.3 million in April 2025 according to preliminary data, compared with a decline of EUR 222.3 million in April 2024. In January - April 2025 foreign direct investment in Bulgaria grew by EUR 1 116.9 million, compared with an increase of EUR 875.9 million in January - April 2024.

The balance of portfolio investment² was negative amounting to EUR 85.1 million, compared with a positive balance of EUR 1 021.1 million in April 2024. In January - April 2025 the balance was positive and equated to EUR 786.2 million (0.7% of GDP), compared with a positive balance of EUR 2 708.8 million (2.6% of GDP) in January - April 2024.

Portfolio investment - assets², dropped by EUR 105.5 million, compared with an increase of EUR 830.6 million in April 2024. In January - April 2025 they grew by EUR 407.7 million (0.4% of GDP), compared with an increase of EUR 2 276.1 million (2.2% of GDP) in January - April 2024. Portfolio investment - liabilities², decreased by EUR 20.3 million, compared with a decline of EUR 190.5 million in April 2024. In January - April 2025 portfolio investment - liabilities, dropped by EUR 378.5 million (0.3% of GDP), compared with a decline of EUR 432.7 million (0.4% of GDP) in January - April 2024.

In the first quarter of 2025, the external balance of goods and services was negative.

Prices

In May 2025, the monthly inflation rate, measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI), was 0.0% compared to the previous month, and the annual inflation rate 3.7%. In May 2025, compared to the previous month, the highest increase was registered in the following groups: ‘Restaurants and hotels’ (0.8%), ‘Miscellaneous goods and services’ (0.6%), ‘Alcoholic beverages and tobacco’ (0.6%) and ‘Clothing and footwear’ (0.5%). A decrease in the prices was recorded in the following groups: ‘Transport’ (1.8%), ‘Communications’ (1.0), ‘Recreation and culture’ (0.9%) and ‘Housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels’ (0.3%).

In the first quarter of 2025, the house price index increased by 15.1% compared to the same quarter of 2024.

The Producer Price Index on the Domestic Market increased by 7.9% compared to May 2024. The prices went up in the electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply - by 21.5%, in the mining and quarrying industry - by 20.2%, and in the manufacturing industry  - by 7.8%.

In June 2025, the prevailing part of the managers expected the selling prices in the industry to remain unchanged over the next 3 months, according to the business inquiries of NSI.

Monetary and financial indicators¹

In May 2025, broad money (monetary aggregate M3)² increased annually by 8.7% (8.8% annual growth as in April 2025). At the end of May 2025 M3 was BGN 171.570 billion (80.3% of GDP) compared to BGN 170.925 billion (80% of GDP) in April 2025.

The loans to Non-financial corporations, households and NPISHs² in May 2025 amounted to BGN 99.876 billion. In May 2025, loans to Non-financial corporations increased by 9.3% annually (8.7% annual growth in April 2025) and at the end of the month amounted to BGN 49.826 billion (23.3% of GDP). Loans to Households and NPISHs were BGN 50.051 billion (23.4% of GDP) at the end of May 2025.

In May 2025, the monthly average exchange rate of BGN against the USD² reached BGN 1.72 per 1 USD.

^[1] The estimates of GDP are from BNB.    

[2] Preliminary data. In accordance with the practice of the BNB and the data revision requirements of the ECB.

Annex

Note: yoy % ch. - growth rate compared to the same period of the previous year

1) The key indicators are elaborated in accordance with the eurozone indicators system. The analytical document is quarterly updated. Source of the data: the NSI statistical surveys and BNB data. For more information - Methodological notes.

2) In compliance with Regulation (EU) 2020/1197 laying down technical specifications and arrangements pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2019/2152  аll short-term indicators presented in the form of indices are calculated and published using 2021 as a base year.

3) Preliminary data fоr 2024 and 2025.

4) 2025 Q1 - preliminary data.

5) The data are calculated and published using 2020 as a base year.