The Bulgarian economy grew 2.9% year-on-year in the first quarter of 2026, unchanged from the previous period, according to preliminary estimates. Net external demand contributed positively to overall growth, as exports of goods and services rose 0.4% after stagnating in Q4 2025, while import growth slowed to 6.4% from 11.1%. However, gains were partly offset by a slowdown in domestic demand. Final consumption growth eased to 6.9% from 7.9%, while gross fixed capital formation moderated to 8% from 11.6% in the previous quarter. On a quarterly basis, the economy expanded 0.7% in Q1, matching the pace recorded in Q4 2025. source: National Statistical Institute, Bulgaria

The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in Bulgaria expanded 2.90 percent in the first quarter of 2026 over the same quarter of the previous year. GDP Annual Growth Rate in Bulgaria averaged 2.56 percent from 1996 until 2026, reaching an all time high of 23.70 percent in the first quarter of 1996 and a record low of -17.20 percent in the first quarter of 1997. This page provides - Bulgaria GDP Annual Growth Rate - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news. Bulgaria GDP Annual Growth Rate - data, historical chart, forecasts and calendar of releases - was last updated on May of 2026.

The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in Bulgaria expanded 2.90 percent in the first quarter of 2026 over the same quarter of the previous year. GDP Annual Growth Rate in Bulgaria is expected to be 2.60 percent by the end of this quarter, according to Trading Economics global macro models and analysts expectations. In the long-term, the Bulgaria GDP Annual Growth Rate is projected to trend around 2.20 percent in 2027 and 2.30 percent in 2028, according to our econometric models.



Calendar GMT Reference Actual Previous Consensus TEForecast
2026-03-06 09:00 AM
YoY Final
Q4 3% 3.1% 2.9%
2026-05-15 08:00 AM
YoY Prel
Q1 2.9% 2.9% 2.7%
2026-06-05 08:00 AM
YoY Final
Q1 2.9% 2.9%


Related Last Previous Unit Reference
Full Year GDP Growth 3.10 2.80 percent Dec 2025
GDP Growth Rate YoY 2.90 2.90 percent Mar 2026
GDP Constant Prices 42365.86 40595.86 BGN Million Dec 2025
GDP from Agriculture 1011.21 2272.92 BGN Million Dec 2025
GDP from Construction 1912.11 3158.69 BGN Million Dec 2025
GDP from Manufacturing 5605.48 5983.36 BGN Million Dec 2025
GDP from Public Administration 6029.26 4985.90 BGN Million Dec 2025
GDP from Services 10099.09 8844.54 BGN Million Dec 2025
GDP Growth Rate 0.70 0.70 percent Mar 2026
Gross Fixed Capital Formation 9583.36 7621.03 BGN Million Dec 2025


Bulgaria GDP Annual Growth Rate
In Bulgaria, household consumption is the main component of GDP and accounts for 63 percent of its total use, followed by gross fixed capital formation (21 percent) and government expenditure (17 percent). Exports of goods and services account for 65 percent of GDP while imports account for 66 percent, subtracting 1 percent of total GDP.
Actual Previous Highest Lowest Dates Unit Frequency
2.90 2.90 23.70 -17.20 1996 - 2026 percent Quarterly
SA, WDA

News Stream
Bulgaria Q1 GDP Steady at 2.9%
The Bulgarian economy grew 2.9% year-on-year in the first quarter of 2026, unchanged from the previous period, according to preliminary estimates. Net external demand contributed positively to overall growth, as exports of goods and services rose 0.4% after stagnating in Q4 2025, while import growth slowed to 6.4% from 11.1%. However, gains were partly offset by a slowdown in domestic demand. Final consumption growth eased to 6.9% from 7.9%, while gross fixed capital formation moderated to 8% from 11.6% in the previous quarter. On a quarterly basis, the economy expanded 0.7% in Q1, matching the pace recorded in Q4 2025.
2026-05-15
Bulgaria Q4 GDP Revised Slightly Higher
The Bulgarian economy grew by 3% year-on-year in the fourth quarter of 2025, slightly revising upward from 2.9% growth in preliminary estimates, albeit marginally easing from a revised 3.1% expansion in the previous quarter. This marked the weakest pace of growth since the third quarter of 2024, despite final consumption rising (7.8% vs 7.4% in Q3), driven by both household consumption (8.7% vs 8.2%) and government spending (3% vs 0.9%). In addition, gross fixed capital increased to 12.4% in Q4 2025 from 10.3% in the previous quarter. On net external demand, exports of goods and services rebounded to 0.2% from a 4.3% fall, while imports jumped to 11.1% from 4%. On a quarterly basis, the economy expanded 0.8% in Q4, in line with preliminary estimates and edging up from 0.7% in Q3. For 2025 as a whole, the Bulgarian economy grew 3.1%.
2026-03-06
Bulgaria Q4 GDP Growth at Over 1-Year Low
The Bulgarian economy grew by 2.9% year-on-year in the fourth quarter of 2025, slowing from a downwardly revised 3.1% in the previous period, according to preliminary estimates. This marked the weakest pace of growth since the third quarter of 2024, as net external demand continued to weigh on overall economic performance. Exports of goods and services remained in contraction, though at a much softer pace (-0.1% vs -5.4% in Q3), while imports accelerated sharply (9.5% vs 4.2%). At the same time, growth in final consumption eased to 7.2% from 7.9% in the previous quarter. Meanwhile, gross fixed capital formation picked up further, rising to 10.1% from 9.3%. On a quarterly basis, the economy expanded by 0.8% in Q4, edging up from 0.7% in the third quarter.
2026-02-13