Key indicators for Bulgaria - Latest data as of October 2, 2026

This update: 02 October 2026

Next update: 30 December 2026

Output

In September 2026, the industrial confidence indicator increased by 0.4 percentage points in comparison with August 2026, according to the business inquiries of NSI.

In July 2026, a decline of 6.8% was registered in the calendar-adjusted Industrial Production Index in comparison with the same month of 2025. On an annual basis, a decrease in the industrial production, calculated from calendar-adjusted data, was recorded in the mining and quarrying industry - by 36.1%, and in the manufacturing industry - by 7.3%, while an increase was registered in the in the electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply - by 16.7%.

The calendar-adjusted data showed a rise of 4.9% in the construction production compared to the same month of 2025. In July 2026, compared to the same month of 2025, a rise of the production was registered in the construction of buildings - by 9.5%, and in the civil engineering - by 5.0%. A decline was observed in the specialized construction activities - by 0.2%.

According to the preliminary data, the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) at current prices for the second quarter of 2026 is 30 292.5 million EUR. The GDP per person is 4 729.3 EUR. At an average quarterly exchange rate of 0.860625 EUR for 1 USD, the GDP is 35 198.2 million USD, or 5 495.2 USD per person.

Private consumption

In July 2026, the total consumer confidence indicator increased by 2.9 percentage points in comparison with April 2026. An increase of consumer confidence among both urban and rural inhabitants - by 1.1 and 7.7 percentage points respectively was reported. According to the consumers’ assessments, there was a certain positive change in the development of the general economic situation in the country over the last 12 months, and their expectations over the next 12 months were more favourable in comparison with the previous survey.

The calendar-adjusted retail trade turnover rose by 5.6% compared to the same month of 2025. In July 2026, compared to the same month of 2025, a rise in the turnover was registered in all of the following major groups: ‘Retail sales of food, beverages and tobacco’ - by 7.5%, ‘Retail sales of automotive fuel in specialised stores’ - by 6.6%, and ‘Retail sales of non-food product (except fuel)’ - by 4.1%.

During the second quarter of 2026, 69.7% of GDP was spent on individual consumption. The indicator increased by 7.6% in real terms compared to the respective quarter of 2025 (according to seasonally adjusted data).

Investment

The relative share of gross fixed capital formation in GDP in the second quarter of 2026 was 23.0%. The indicator increased by 8.4% in real terms compared to the same period of the previous year, according to seasonally adjusted data.

In July 2026, the average capacity utilization in the industry was 2.4 percentage points below its April 2026 level and it reached 72.9%, according to the business inquiries of NSI.

Labour market

In the second quarter of 2026, there were 2 917.9 thousand employed persons, of whom 1 546.8 thousand men and 1 371.1 thousand women. The employment rate for the population aged 15 years and over was 53.0% - 59.1% for men and 47.4% for women.

In the second quarter of 2026, there were 107.1 thousand unemployed persons, of whom 65.2 thousand (60.9%) men and 41.9 thousand (39.1%) women. The unemployment rate was 3.5% - 4.0% for men and 3.0% for women, respectively.

In the second quarter of 2026, compared to the second quarter of 2025, the total hourly labour cost rose by 9.9% (preliminary data). The total hourly labour cost increased by 12.2% in industry, by 11.5% in the services and by 8.5% in construction.

In September 2026, 31.2% of the industrial enterprises pointed out the labour shortage as a factor limiting their activity, according to the business inquiries of NSI.

In June 2026, the average gross wage and salary was 1 421 EUR - it decreased by 0.9% compared to the previous month and increased by 9.1% compared to June 2025.

International transactions^[1]

In September 2026, the production assurance with orders from abroad decreased by 1.4 percentage points in comparison with August 2026, according to the industrial managers’ assessments registered by the business inquiries of NSI.

The current account^[2] was negative amounting to EUR 269 million in July 2026, compared with a negative balance of EUR 303.7 million in July 2025. In the period January - July 2026 the current account was negative and amounted to EUR 5 426.8 million (4.4% of GDP), compared with a deficit of EUR 2 470.6 million (2.1% of GDP) in the period January - July 2025.

The trade balance^[2] recorded a deficit of EUR 853.1 million in July 2026, compared with a negative balance of EUR 752.4 million in July 2025. In the period January - July 2026 the balance on goods was negative amounting to EUR 6 506.9 million (5.2% of GDP), compared with a deficit of EUR 4 789.6 million (4.1% of GDP) in the period January - July 2025.

Exports of goods^[2] amounted to EUR 4 071.9 million in July 2026, increasing by EUR 285.5 million (7.5%) from EUR 3 786.4 million in July 2025. In the period January - July 2026 the exports of goods totalled EUR 26 849.5 million (21.6% of GDP), growing by EUR 2 213.4 million (9%) year-on-year (from EUR 24 636 million, 21.2% of GDP).

Imports of goods^[2] amounted to EUR 4 925 million in July 2026, increasing by EUR 386.1 million (8.5%) from July 2025 (EUR 4 538.9 million). In the period January - July 2026 the imports of goods totalled EUR 33 356.4 million (26.8% of GDP), growing by EUR 3 930.7 million (13.4%) from the period January - July 2025 (EUR 29 425.6 million, 25.4% of GDP).

Figure 15. Trade balance, mln. euro; Exports of goods, mln. euro; Imports of goods, mln. euro

Direct investment abroad^[2] grew by EUR 22 million in July 2026, compared with an increase of EUR 110.8 million in July 2025. In the period January - July 2026 the direct investment abroad rose by EUR 221.8 million, compared with an increase of EUR 308.3 million in the period January - July 2025.

The net direct investment^[2] was negative amounting to EUR 593.3 million, compared with a negative balance of EUR 768.7 million in July 2025. In the period January - July 2026 the direct investment recorded an outflow of EUR 3 226.6 million (2.6% of GDP), compared with a negative balance of EUR 1 222.4 million (1.1% of GDP) in the period January - July 2025.

Foreign direct investment in Bulgaria^[2] (under the directional principle) grew by EUR 615.3 million in July 2026 according to preliminary data, compared with an increase of EUR 879.5 million in July 2025. In January - July 2026 the foreign direct investment in Bulgaria rose by EUR 3 448.5 million, compared with an increase of EUR 1 530.8 million in the period January - July 2025.

The balance on portfolio investment^[2] was negative amounting to EUR 1 372.8 million, compared with a negative balance of EUR 2 044.9 million in July 2025. In the period January - July 2026 the balance was negative and equated to EUR 4 084.6 million (3.3% of GDP), compared with a negative balance of EUR 4 282.3 million (3.7% of GDP) in the period January - July 2025.

Portfolio investment - assets^[2] grew by EUR 334.2 million, compared with an increase of EUR 283.6 million in July 2025. In the period January - July 2026 they dropped by EUR 2 535.2 million (2% of GDP), compared with an increase of EUR 722.1 million (0.6% of GDP) in the period January - July 2025.

Portfolio investment - liabilities^[2], increased by EUR 1 707 million, compared with an increase of EUR 2 328.5 million in July 2025. In the period January - July 2026 the portfolio investment - liabilities increased by EUR 1 549.5 million (1.2% of GDP) compared with an increase of EUR 5 004.5 million (4.3% of GDP) in the period January - July 2025.

In the second quarter of 2026 the external balance of goods and services was negative.

Prices

In August 2026, the monthly inflation rate, measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI), was 0.6% compared to the previous month, and the annual inflation rate was 5.1%. In August 2026, compared to the previous month, the highest increase was registered in the following groups: ‘Transport’ (5.5%), ‘Personal care, social protection and miscellaneous goods and services’ (0.9%), ‘Restaurants and accommodation services’ (0.8%) and ‘Alcoholic beverages, tobacco’ (0.8%). A decrease in the prices was recorded in the following groups: ‘Clothing and footwear’ (-2.0%), ‘Health’ (-0.4%) and ‘Food and non-alcoholic beverages’ (-0.1%).

In the second quarter of 2026, the house price index increased by 15.5% compared to the same quarter of 2025.

The Producer Price Index on the Domestic Market increased by 16.8% compared to August 2025. The prices went up in the mining and quarrying industry - by 33.0%, in the electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply - by 10.4%, and in the manufacturing industry - by 9.7%.

In September 2026, the prevailing part of the managers foresaw the selling prices in the industry to remain unchanged over the next 3 months (according to the business inquiries of NSI).

Monetary and financial indicators^[1]

In August 2026, the contribution of Bulgaria to the broad money (monetary aggregate M3)^[2] increased annually by 21% (20.6% annual growth as of July 2026). At the end of August 2026 the national contribution to M3 was EUR 107.691 billion (86.5% of GDP4) compared to EUR 106.405 billion (85.4% of GDP) in July 2026.

The loans to Non-financial Corporations, Households and NPISHs^[2] in August 2026 amounted to EUR 61.893 billion. In August 2026, loans to Non-financial Corporations increased by 13.7% annually (13% annual growth in July 2026) and at the end of the month amounted to EUR 29.256 billion. Loans to Households and NPISHs were EUR 32.637 billion at the end of August 2026. They increased by 20.8% compared to the same month of 2025 (20.8% annual growth in July 2026). 

^[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

Table 1

Table 2

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 2025 and 2026.

^[4] Q1 2026 - preliminary data.

^[5] The data are calculated and published using 2020 as a base year.