The Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry presents its latest 16th Edition of "Bulgaria in Figures®"
The Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) has once again prepared and officially presented on July 29 the traditional 16th edition of "Bulgaria in Figures®" 2025 in English, driven by the desire to provide information to all who have chosen Bulgaria as a partner and investment destination.
- The publication reflects key macroeconomic indicators of Bulgaria over the past five years, including the investment environment, tourism, imports and exports, education, and the labor market, as well as other important aspects of the Bulgarian economy.
- Special attention is given to Bulgaria’s position in the international rankings, which can serve as an important guide for investors. Specific areas of progress, as well as critical positions of Bulgaria in these rankings, are highlighted.
The Bulgarian economy continues its growth from recent years, albeit at a slower pace.
- GDP: In 2024, GDP growth was 2.8%, due to global economic and political challenges, including the conflict between Russia and Ukraine and the tensions in the Middle East, and their impact on the European economy.
- Labor Market: The unemployment in Bulgaria remains at a low level of 4.2% in 2024, resulting from the efforts to preserve jobs and measures taken during the pandemic. The labor market remains stable, with a slight increase in the employment rate to 70.9%.
- Tax System: Bulgaria continues to maintain one of the lowest tax rates in the European Union, with a flat tax of 10% on personal and corporate income.
In Bulgaria, taxpayers are exempt from paying corporate tax in regions with high unemployment levels. In 2024, approximately 61% of municipalities—162 out of a total of 265 in Bulgaria—had unemployment rates 25% higher than the national average and 0% corporate tax rate.
At the same time, Bulgaria maintains financial stability, with the country's gross public debt being the second-lowest in the EU27, reaching 24.6% of GDP in the third quarter of 2024, and 24.1% by the end of 2024. As of the end of May 2025, the national debt stands at BGN 53,775.7 million, or 24.6% of GDP. As of Q1 2025, Bulgaria has the lowest debt-to-GDP ratio in the EU.
The "Bulgaria in Figures" brochure also provides data on inflation, foreign trade in goods, wage dynamics, tourism, and the latest macroeconomic forecasts.
Bulgaria's Rankings in International Indices (as of June 2025)
In 2024, the country made significant progress in:
- Prosperity and Freedom Index (from 75th to 53rd place)
- Human Development Index (HDI) (from 70th to 55th place)
- Energy Transition Index (from 48th to 36th place)
- Global Peace Index (from 31st place in 2023 to 26th place in 2024)
The country registers decline in:
- World Press Freedom Index (from 59th to 70th place)
- Corruption Perception Index (from 67th to 76th place)
- Economic Freedom Index (from 43rd to 52nd place)
The latest data from June 18, 2025, from IMD – Switzerland, on global competitiveness, where BCCI is a partner in Bulgaria's 2025 study, shows that the country's position has improved by 1 point (from 58th to 57th place), now compared to 69 countries studied, instead of 67, which can be noted as a slight improvement.
BCCI's Role and Services
The publication also highlights key data about BCCI and the services it provides to the business.
The edition has been well-received by the business community and is distributed among official Bulgarian and foreign institutions, embassies, Trade and Economic Affairs Offices (ТЕАОs), international partners, numerous companies, and participants in forums and international events.
The "Bulgaria in Figures®" edition is available in both print and as a free electronic version here.