Bulgaria has registered a slight decline in the IMD World Digital Competitiveness Ranking for 2025, conducted by the Swiss-based IMD World Competitiveness Center. For the fourth consecutive year, the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) is the official partner of the survey in Bulgaria.
The IMD World Digital Competitiveness Ranking 2025 evaluates 69 economies worldwide, analyzing three key pillars of digital competitiveness: Knowledge, Technology, and Future Readiness.
According to the BCCI, Bulgaria’s performance shows a slight overall decline, which highlights the need for stronger public and private engagement in advancing digital technologies.
In the overall and factor rankings, Bulgaria is positioned 58th out of 69 countries, dropping two places from 56th in 2024. Despite this, the inclusion of two new economies in the 2025 edition suggests a relative improvement in Bulgaria’s comparative standing.
Under the Knowledge category, Bulgaria has advanced by four positions, now ranking 55th, reflecting progress in strategies aimed at enhancing expertise and skills.
In the Technology category, however, Bulgaria fell four places, from 49th in 2024 to 53rd in 2025, while under Future Readiness, the country also dropped four positions, indicating a need for more proactive measures to adapt to upcoming technological trends.
Within the Knowledge category, Bulgaria climbed three positions in the subcategories Talent and Training & Education, driven by ongoing reforms in the education system. However, the country dropped seven places in Scientific Concentration, signaling an urgent need for stronger research infrastructure and better funding for R&D activities.
In the Technology category, Bulgaria improved by five positions in the Regulatory Framework subcategory, yet recorded declines in both Technological Framework and Capital, emphasizing the need for a more predictable business environment and enhanced legislative and infrastructural conditions to foster innovation and competitiveness.
Within Future Readiness category, Bulgaria improved its position by two places, showing signs of progress in digital adaptability.
According to the BCCI, the results underline the importance of continued and coordinated efforts to enhance Bulgaria’s digital competitiveness. The landscape of global digital competitiveness is evolving rapidly, requiring constant adaptation and innovation. Active engagement from both the public and private sectors remains more crucial than ever for strengthening Bulgaria’s position in future editions of the ranking.
For more detailed information on the IMD World Digital Competitiveness Ranking 2025 and Bulgaria’s overall performance, please refer to the following links:
IMD World Digital Competitiveness Ranking 2025 – Full Report (PDF)
Bulgaria Country Profile – WDCR 2025 (PDF)