Bulgaria ranks 56th in the 2026 World Competitiveness Ranking by IMD-Switzerland. The Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) directly contributes as a partner for this ranking by coordinating and organizing the survey process among its members, targeting Bulgarian companies and organizations that meet the study's criteria.
Globally, the ranking calculates data from executive surveys and 262 statistical indicators. The survey was conducted between March and May 2026.
According to the 2026 World Competitiveness Yearbook by the Institute for Management Development (IMD), Switzerland, published on June 17, 2025, Bulgaria occupies the 56th position out of 70 countries in 2026. This maintains a similar level compared to last year, when it ranked 57th, but out of 69 economies. This result reflects both the positive aspects and the challenges the country faces. In 2021, the country stood in 53rd place, which was followed by significant fluctuations reflecting various economic and political factors.
The top three countries in the 2026 IMD World Competitiveness Ranking (WCR) are Singapore, Hong Kong, and Switzerland. Taiwan climbed two spots to fourth position, continuing its strong upward trend from eighth place in 2024 and sixth place in 2025.
Core Competitiveness Pillars for Bulgaria
The main factors driving Bulgaria's competitiveness profile include: economic performance (efficiency), government efficiency, business efficiency (environment), and infrastructure.
- Economic Performance: Compared to the previous year (2025), the country maintains its position at 50th place.
- Business Efficiency: The country climbed 3 positions, moving from 67th to 64th place.
- Infrastructure: Bulgaria recorded a decline of 3 positions, dropping from 53rd to 56th place.
Bulgaria's economic performance indicator is expectedly characterized by a mix of strengths and weaknesses, with improvements in some of the 5 sub-indicators this year compared to the previous one. Bulgaria receives good ratings for office rent, apartment rent, and the cost of living index. Other strengths include export concentration by trading partners and products, as well as real GDP growth per capita.
Key Milestones and Persistent Challenges
Regarding the government efficiency indicator, there are minor improvements across certain sub-indicators.
Bulgaria's accession to the Schengen area in 2024 and the adoption of the euro in January 2026 marked important milestones in the country's EU integration, removing significant barriers to trade.
However, challenges to Bulgaria's competitiveness persist:
- Labor Market & Productivity: Labor productivity remains chronically low, and private investments and innovation face significant constraints. Labor market shortages limit corporate output and prevent some businesses from expanding.
- Energy Dependence: The high energy intensity of the Bulgarian economy and its heavy reliance on fossil fuels leave it highly exposed to external shocks.
The country implemented a number of measures and reforms, both as part of its Recovery and Resilience Plan and in preparation for the adoption of the euro in January 2026. The benefits of these steps should become visible in the coming years.
Areas Needing Improvement
Several aspects of the country's socio-economic structure still require structural improvement:
- Governance: Effective measures against corruption, especially at high levels, are lacking. Non-competitive public procurement limits high-quality investments.
- Workforce & Education: Many sectors continue to experience staff shortages linked to poor educational outcomes and a shrinking workforce.
- Social & Healthcare: Economic development remains uneven regarding vulnerable groups who are at risk of poverty. The healthcare system is understaffed and struggles to achieve satisfactory results.
- Energy Efficiency: Dependence on energy and raw material imports remains high, impacting economic security. In practice, virtually all oil and gas used in the economy are imported. While significant progress has been made in diversifying supplies and investing in renewable energy sources and battery storage, no substantial progress has been made in improving the energy efficiency of industry and the housing stock, nor in providing adequate incentives to reduce electricity consumption.
Conclusion
In conclusion, although Bulgaria faces significant challenges in improving its competitiveness, the country possesses substantial strengths and opportunities. Through targeted reforms and strategic investments, Bulgaria can improve its economic performance and secure a more competitive position on the global stage.
Statement by Arturo Bris, Director of the World Competitiveness Center, Switzerland:
"Geopolitical conditions are deteriorating, and global fragmentation is intensifying," said Arturo Bris, Director of the World Competitiveness Center. "Countries that have their own tried and tested, reliable institutions gain an advantage in this context because—when the international system ceases to meet so many national needs—businesses can continue to operate normally."