Bulgaria’s economy up 2.7% in second quarter

Bulgaria’s gross domestic product (GDP) recorded annual growth of 2.7% in the second quarter of 2026, according to data of the National Statistical Institute. Compared with the first quarter of 2026, the GDP grew by 0.6%. In nominal terms, GDP for the April–June period reached more than €29.6 billion. Strong domestic consumption and increased investment remain the main drivers of economic growth.

Final consumption increased by 7.6% year-on-year and by 1.6% compared with the previous quarter. It accounts for the largest share of GDP—81.9%, or more than €24.3 billion.

The country’s foreign trade balance remains negative. Exports of goods and services decreased by 2.8% compared with the second quarter of last year, while imports increased by 6.9%.

Unemployment in Bulgaria decreased by 0.1 percentage points compared with the same period in 2025, reaching 3.5%.

Edited by Ivo Ivanov

Translated by Kostadin Atanasov