Business gloom deepens as two-thirds of Bulgarian firms brace for 2026 downturn

Optimism is in short supply among Bulgaria’s business leaders. According to the latest "2025 Through the Eyes of Business" survey by the Bulgarian Industrial Association (BIA), a staggering 66% of participants expect an economic slump in 2026. An additional 13% see no improvement on the horizon, expecting the economy to remain stagnant.

This data reveals a sharp decline in confidence compared to a year ago. In the previous survey in 2024, only 41% of respondents anticipated a downturn the following year, while 21% expected stability.

Editor: Miglena Ivanova