Bulgaria profile

Demography and Health

Bulgaria has a population of about 6.44 million as of 2024. Life expectancy at birth is around 75.7 years (2023), reflecting ongoing health improvements but an aging population. The crude birth rate is 8.9 per 1,000 people, while the crude death rate is 15.7 per 1,000, indicating a natural decrease and a growing share of older residents. The under-5 mortality rate stands at 6.1 per 1,000 live births, signaling continued health challenges in maternal and child health relative to higher‑income peers, though other European neighbors perform better. Unemployment is relatively low at 4.32% (2023), supporting household incomes, while the poverty headcount at national poverty lines is 20.6% (2022) and undernourishment affects 2.5% (2022), suggesting persistent vulnerability for a portion of the population. Health system financing shows current health expenditure at 7.66% of GDP (2022) and domestic general government health expenditure per capita around PPP$1,607 (2022), with about 4.9 physicians per 1,000 people (2022), indicating a solid but stretched healthcare capacity given demographic trends. Digital connectivity is strong, with 80.4% of people online in 2023, and net migration remains positive, about 524,000 in 2024, highlighting ongoing population dynamics that affect labor markets and public services.

Economy

Bulgaria's economy in 2024 features a GDP per capita of about US$17,412 (current US$) and a GDP per capita at PPP of US$41,086, indicating a middle‑income profile with meaningful purchasing power within Europe. The economy is open to trade: exports of goods and services equal 55.8% of GDP in 2024, while imports are 53.5% of GDP, signaling strong integration with regional and global value chains. Inflation is moderate at 2.45% (2024). The unemployment rate is 4.32% (2023), reflecting a relatively tight labor market, while the poverty headcount is 20.6% (2022) and undernourishment is 2.5% (2022), suggesting continued social vulnerability for some households. Bulgaria invests in knowledge and innovation, with research and development spending at 0.754% of GDP (2022) and high‑technology exports totaling about US$3.18 billion (2023). Net foreign direct investment inflows reach 3.12% of GDP (2024), supporting capital formation and productivity improvements, while the current account balance stands at ‑1.79% of GDP (2024). Taken together, these indicators point to a modestly growing economy with room to raise productivity, deepen innovation, and strengthen social resilience.

Trade and Investment

Bulgaria's external orientation is strong and growth‑oriented. Exports of goods and services represent 55.8% of GDP in 2024, with imports at 53.5% of GDP, indicating a robust and balanced open economy. The country ranks well in trade facilitation, supported by a Logistics Performance Index score of 3.1 (2022) and a high relative rank of 15, suggesting relatively efficient trade and transport networks. Foreign direct investment net inflows are 3.12% of GDP (2024), aided by regulatory quality (0.408) and improving governance, while 165 resident patent applications (2021) and R&D spending of 0.754% of GDP (2022) reflect a growing focus on knowledge‑based growth. High‑technology exports reach about US$3.18 billion (2023), underscoring Bulgaria's potential in tech‑enabled manufacturing and services. The external sector benefits from EU integration and proximity to European markets, though ongoing investments in infrastructure, innovation ecosystems, and human capital are essential to sustain competitiveness and inclusive growth.

Governance and Institutions

Bulgaria's governance indicators present a mixed profile. Political Stability and Absence of Violence/Terrorism stands at 0.342 (2023) with a rank around 84, indicating relative calm but not exceptional stability. Regulatory Quality is 0.408 (rank 64), showing some capacity to implement reforms, while Rule of Law is slightly negative at ‑0.00686 (rank 90), highlighting concerns about legal enforcement and judiciary efficiency. Control of Corruption is −0.138 (rank 93) and Government Effectiveness is 0.0471 (rank 88), suggesting persistent governance and anti‑corruption challenges despite EU norms and oversight. Bulgaria benefits from EU membership, which anchors policy and provides access to structural funds, yet institutional reform and public‑sector efficiency remain priorities for improving public services and attracting investment. Overall, Bulgaria exhibits moderate institutional quality with clear areas for improvement in rule of law and corruption control, balanced by regulatory capacity and EU governance frameworks.

Infrastructure and Technology

Bulgaria shows a solid but evolving infrastructure and technology base. The Logistics Performance Index score of 3.1 (2022) ranks 15th among peers, signaling relatively capable trade and transport networks. Internet usage is high, with 80.4% of the population online in 2023, underpinning digital services, e‑government, and e‑commerce. The country has 4.9 physicians per 1,000 people (2022), indicating a solid medical workforce for its income level, while high‑technology exports total about US$3.18 billion (2023), reflecting a growing emphasis on knowledge‑intensive production. Resident patent applications stand at 165 (2021), and R&D expenditure is 0.754% of GDP (2022), showing that research capacity is expanding but still below top European peers. Renewable energy accounted for 20.4% of total final energy consumption (2021), with per‑capita greenhouse gas emissions at 8.28 t CO2e (2023). This mix points to a positive trajectory in connectivity and innovation, while highlighting opportunities to accelerate energy transition and infrastructure modernization.

Environment and Sustainability

Bulgaria's environmental indicators reveal progress alongside ongoing pressures. Renewable energy accounts for roughly 20.4% of total final energy consumption (2021), indicating a shift toward cleaner power but still ample room for decarbonization. Total greenhouse gas emissions per capita are about 8.28 t CO2e (2023), suggesting significant climate mitigation opportunities through energy efficiency, transport modernization, and industry upgrades. The level of water stress, measured as freshwater withdrawals as a share of available resources, is 37.5% (2021), signaling water‑resource management challenges in an economy with seasonal variability. The country also reports a relatively moderate prevalence of undernourishment (2.5% of the population, 2022) and a poverty rate of 20.6% at national poverty lines (2022), showing how social and environmental outcomes intersect in Bulgaria’s development path. Taken together, Bulgaria is advancing in renewables and efficiency but must confront emissions growth, water security, and social vulnerabilities through integrated climate and development policies.