Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry Presents the 17th Economic Edition of “Bulgaria in figures®" 2026
Focal Points and Messages in this Edition
• Bulgaria is entering a strategically important stage of economic development with its official membership in the Eurozone since 1 January 2026 and the full integration into the Schengen Area. This is a powerful signal with a long-term horizon for governance and predictability for investors.
• Objectivity through independent assessments: The Publication reflects the impartial view of international rating organisations which prove the real progress of the business environment in our country.
• A call for institutions: International rankings mark some critical positions to serve as a stable basis for the government when introducing measures to improve the rating of our country.
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This year for the 17th consecutive time, the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry has prepared ‘Bulgaria in Figures®’ 2026, the traditional Edition in English, driven by the desire to provide information to all those who have chosen Bulgaria as an investment destination. The ‘Bulgaria in Figures®’ 2026 Edition is a registered trademark with a high grade, given by the state institutions, partner organisations and businesses.
• The Publication includes some major macroeconomic indicators of the country for the last five years, such as the investment environment, tourism, import and export, education and the labour market, along with other important aspects of the Bulgarian economy.
• Special attention is paid to Bulgaria’s position in international rating reports, which can serve as an important guideline for investors. In these rankings, Bulgaria’s critical positions, marked specially by BCCI, can be a good basis for the government and institutions to develop a management programme and measures to improve Bulgaria’s rating internationally.
⇒ The positive effect of the Eurozone and Schengen for Bulgarian tourism and the economy
The Publication tracks the positive effect on the tourist sector since Bulgaria’s inclusion in Schengen and the Eurozone. The 2025 statistics measures only the effect of joining the Schengen Area and there are no real data for 2026 yet, nor are there any comparisons with the preceding year.
Fundamental advantages which directly facilitate the travel
• Elimination of queues at land borders (effective from 1 January 2025)
• Easy payments in Euro without any currency risk for foreign guests (effective from 1 January 2026)
• An improved international image and greater trust in the destination
The full European integration remains a main pillar of stability, leading to a higher credit rating, lower transaction costs and increased liquidity in the banking sector.
⇒ Special focus on Bulgaria’s positions in international ratings
The Publication contains a detailed analysis of the country’s rating as at June 2026 and records serious progress in key sectors but it also warns about critical levels of representativeness.
Significant progress and improvements
• International Property Rights Index: An impressive jump with 19 places ahead – from the 56th to the 37th place
• Social Resilience Index: Climbing up with 14 places ahead – from the 61st to the 47th place
• Energy Transition Index: An improvement with 7 places – from the 36th to the 29th place
• Globalisation Index: Progress to the 33rd place (from the 36th place in the previous year)
• World Competitiveness (IMD Switzerland, 18 June 2026): Bulgaria records a rise by 1 point and takes the 56th place out of 70 countries researched.
A registered decline – the country’s critical positions which require urgent state measures
• Global Gender Gap Report: A dramatic slump from the 60th to the 83rd place
• World Press Freedom Index 2026: Bulgaria takes the 71st place out of a total of 180 countries researched, a slight decline from the 70th place
• Corruption Perceptions Index: a serious drop from the 76th to the 84th place
• Global Innovation Index: A fall from the 35th to the 37th place
• Index of Economic Freedom: A drop with one position compared with the previous Edition, in the 38th place from the 37th one out of 171 countries researched
What else you will find in this Edition
♦ Macroeconomic profile and actual data (2025)
♦ Foreign trade and exchange of goods in 2025
♦ Industrial zones and digital future for investors
♦ Interactive investment map (https://investmap.government.bg/en)
The ‘Bulgaria in figures®’ Brochure is distributed to foreign Embassies, Trade representation offices (Offices for trade and economic affairs /TEAO/) and international partners.
The free electronic version is available on the BCCI website here.