Bulgaria's gross domestic product (GDP) grew by 2.9% in the first quarter of 2026 compared with the same period of 2025, according to flash estimates released on May 13 by the National Statistical Institute (NSI).
On a quarterly basis, seasonally adjusted GDP increased by 0.7% compared with the fourth quarter of 2025.
According to the estimates, Bulgaria's GDP reached EUR 25.314 billion in nominal terms in the January-March period, while gross value added totalled EUR 21.942 billion.
Final consumption accounted for the largest share of GDP at 88.8%, amounting to EUR 22.484 billion. Gross fixed capital formation stood at EUR 4.381 billion, or 17.3% of GDP, while the country's foreign trade balance remained negative.
Seasonally adjusted data showed gross value added rising by 2.6% year on year. Final consumption increased by 6.9%, while gross fixed capital formation grew by 8%. Exports of goods and services edged up by 0.4%, while imports rose by 6.4%.
Compared with the previous quarter, economic growth was driven mainly by a 1.1% increase in gross fixed capital formation and a 1.4% rise in final consumption.