BGR · Europe & Central Asia /

Location

GDP per capita: 17,596 USD (PPP: 41,969 intl$) · Total GDP: 113.3 billion USD (2024)

Income and purchasing power

The average monthly income in Bulgaria is 1,281 USD per month. This compares to prices and purchasing power compared to the United States.

Compare cost of living and purchasing power →

Cost of Living

Cost of living indices are relative to New York City (NYC = 100). Lower index means lower costs. Data as of November 2025.

Cost of Living Index
35.0
Est. monthly cost: $1,225
65.0% cheaper than NYC
Rent Index
15.0
1-bedroom, center: $420/month
85.0% cheaper than NYC
Groceries Index
38.0
Per person/month: $171
62.0% cheaper than NYC
Restaurant Price Index
40.0
Mid-range meal: $9
Purchasing Power Index
52.0
48.0% lower than NYC
(Higher is better)

How to read: All indices are relative to New York City (NYC = 100). An index of 70 means costs are 30% lower than NYC. Estimated prices are calculated based on NYC reference prices.

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Economic performance 2024

Indicator Value Per Capita
GDP 113.34 billion USD 17,596 USD
Gross National Product (GNI) 15,370 USD
GDP (PPP) 41,969 intl$

Development of gross domestic product in billions of USD 1980 - 2024

Year GDP (billions USD) GDP per capita (USD)
2024 113.34 17,596
2023 102.20 15,853
2022 90.51 13,999
2021 84.37 12,966
2020 70.49 10,760
2019 68.51 10,354
2018 66.10 9,849
2017 59.17 8,697
2016 53.93 7,822
2015 50.77 7,269
2014 57.08 8,070
2013 55.82 7,796
2012 54.30 7,432
2011 57.68 7,850
2010 50.69 6,854
2009 52.02 6,988
2008 54.48 7,271
2007 44.43 5,889
2006 34.38 4,523
2005 29.87 3,900
2004 26.16 3,390
2003 21.14 2,719
2002 16.40 2,093
2001 14.18 1,771
2000 13.25 1,621
1999 13.64 1,661
1998 15.03 1,820
1997 11.32 1,361
1996 12.29 1,470
1995 18.99 2,259
1994 9.71 1,150
1993 10.83 1,279
1992 8.60 1,007
1991 7.63 884
1990 20.63 2,367
1989 21.99 2,477
1988 22.56 2,511
1987 28.10 3,132
1986 20.25 2,260
1985 17.16 1,915
1984 17.59 1,964
1983 16.56 1,853
1982 19.34 2,169
1981 19.87 2,235
1980 19.84 2,239

Largest economic sectors

The main economic sectors in Bulgaria play a crucial role in the country's economic development and prosperity. These industries contribute significantly to GDP, employment, and overall economic stability.

Primary Sectors

  • Banking and financial services
  • Construction and real estate
  • Manufacturing (metals, steel)
  • Information technology

Supporting Sectors

  • Logistics and transportation
  • Tourism and hospitality
  • Agriculture and food processing
  • Energy and utilities

Note: Detailed sector breakdown data is being collected and will be updated soon.

Imports and Exports 2024

Indicator Bulgaria Per Capita
Imports 61.04 billion USD (53.9% of GDP)
Exports 63.89 billion USD (56.4% of GDP)

Household debt and deficits 2024

Data on government debt, budget deficit/surplus, and household debt is being collected.

Note: Household debt data represents domestic credit to private sector (% of GDP) from World Bank. This indicator includes credit to both households and non-financial corporations, providing an approximation of household debt levels.

Corruption in Bulgaria

The Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) measures the perceived levels of public sector corruption. The scale ranges from 0 (highly corrupt) to 100 (very clean).

Corruption Perceptions Index
45.0
Year: 2024
Corrupt
Scale: 0-100
Data source: Transparency International

Unemployment rates in percentages 1991 - 2025

The unemployment rate is calculated as the percentage of unemployed persons in the total labor force. Data source: ILOSTAT

Year Unemployment Rate (%)
2025 3.5%
2024 4.2%
2023 4.3%
2022 4.1%
2021 5.2%
2020 5.0%
2019 4.1%
2018 5.2%
2017 6.2%
2016 7.6%
2015 9.1%
2014 11.4%
2013 12.9%
2012 12.3%
2011 11.3%
2010 10.3%
2009 6.8%
2008 5.6%
2007 6.9%
2006 9.0%
2005 10.1%
2004 12.0%
2003 13.7%
2002 18.1%
2001 19.9%
2000 16.2%
1999 14.1%
1998 12.2%
1997 13.7%
1996 12.5%
1995 11.1%
1994 12.8%
1993 16.4%
1992 15.3%
1991 11.1%

Inflation rates in percentages 1986 - 2024

Year Inflation Rate (%)
2024 2.4%
2023 9.4%
2022 15.3%
2021 3.3%
2020 1.7%
2019 3.1%
2018 2.8%
2017 2.1%
2016 -0.8%
2015 -0.1%
2014 -1.4%
2013 0.9%
2012 3.0%
2011 4.2%
2010 2.4%
2009 2.8%
2008 12.3%
2007 8.4%
2006 7.3%
2005 5.0%
2004 6.1%
2003 2.3%
2002 5.8%
2001 7.4%
2000 10.3%
1999 2.6%
1998 18.7%
1997 1,058.4%
1996 121.6%
1995 62.1%
1994 96.1%
1993 72.9%
1992 91.3%
1991 338.4%
1990 23.8%
1989 6.4%
1988 2.4%
1987 2.7%
1986 2.7%

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the GDP per capita of Bulgaria in 2024?

The GDP per capita of Bulgaria is 17,596 USD in 2024. When adjusted for purchasing power parity (PPP), the GDP per capita is 41,969 international dollars. This indicator measures the economic output per person and is a key metric for comparing economic prosperity across countries.

What are the main industries in Bulgaria?

The main economic sectors in Bulgaria include banking and financial services, construction and real estate, manufacturing (metals, steel), and information technology. Supporting sectors include logistics and transportation, tourism and hospitality, agriculture and food processing, and energy and utilities. These industries contribute significantly to GDP, employment, and overall economic stability.

What is the inflation rate in Bulgaria in 2024?

The inflation rate in Bulgaria is 2.4% in 2024. Inflation measures the rate at which the general level of prices for goods and services rises, eroding purchasing power. This data is updated regularly from reliable sources like the World Bank and IMF.

Explore key economic indicators of Bulgaria including GDP, inflation, unemployment, and trade data. This page provides up-to-date statistics and visual insights based on official international sources such as World Bank, IMF, and ILO.

Our comprehensive database allows you to compare Bulgaria's economic performance with other countries and understand global economic trends. Access current economic indicators, historical data, and comparative analysis to gain a deeper understanding of Bulgaria's economic landscape. For demographic data, visit our population statistics section.

Data Sources

All economic data presented on this page is sourced from reputable international organizations and updated regularly.

  • World Bank: GDP, inflation, unemployment, trade, and economic indicators
  • IMF (International Monetary Fund): Economic indicators and financial statistics
  • OECD: Economic and social statistics
  • Transparency International: Corruption perception index
  • Numbeo: Cost of living data

Data is updated monthly. Last update: June 2026