Bulgaria vs Czechia development indicators, 2024

Indicator	Bulgaria, Value	Czechia, Value	Bulgaria, Rank	Czechia, Rank	Bulgaria as % of Czechia
Current account balance (% of GDP)	-1.79	1.75	71	43
Exports of goods and services (% of GDP)	55.8	69.2	33	25	80.6 %
Foreign direct investment, net inflows (% of GDP)	3.12	3.78	40	31	82.5 %
GDP per capita (current US$)	17,412	31,707	62	40	54.9 %
GDP per capita, PPP (current international US$)	41,086	56,806	56	33	72.3 %
Imports of goods and services (% of GDP)	53.5	62.7	49	31	85.3 %
Inflation, consumer prices (annual %)	2.45	2.44	97	98	100 %
Net migration	524	-86,169	74	198
Population, total	6,444,366	10,882,164	110	86	59.2 %

Demography and Health

Bulgaria has a birth rate of 8.9 per 1,000 people compared to Czechia's 8.4, ranking Bulgaria 45th and Czechia 53rd globally. However, Bulgaria's death rate is notably higher at 15.7 per 1,000 people, whereas Czechia experiences a death rate of 10.4, placing Bulgaria 9th and Czechia 45th. Life expectancy at birth stands at 75.7 years in Bulgaria, falling short of Czechia's 79.9 years, reflecting a health disparity in overall population well-being. The under-5 mortality rate is significantly higher in Bulgaria, with 6.1 deaths per 1,000 live births, ranking it 6th, compared to Czechia's 2.6, which places it 66th. A notable point is that both countries exhibit a prevalence of undernourishment at 2.5%, showing a common concern but a relatively low prevalence overall. Bulgaria's domestic general government health expenditure per capita is about $1,607, considerably lower than Czechia's $3,913, indicating a potential deficit in healthcare investment.

Economy

The GDP per capita in Bulgaria is reported at $17,412, significantly lower than Czechia's $31,707, with Bulgaria ranked 103rd and Czechia 57th. In terms of purchasing power parity, Bulgaria's GDP per capita is $41,086 while Czechia's stands at $56,806, further emphasizing economic disparities, where Bulgaria ranks 95th while Czechia ranks 46th. Inflation rates are similar, at 2.4% for both countries, indicating relative economic stability. Bulgaria's total exports of goods and services account for 55.8% of its GDP against Czechia's larger share of 69.2%, positioning Bulgaria 68th and Czechia 51st in this regard. The import rates also mirror this trade orientation, with Bulgaria at 53.5% and Czechia at 62.7%. Meanwhile, foreign direct investment shows Bulgaria at 3.1% of GDP and Czechia at 3.8%, signaling a relatively attractive investment environment in both, though Czechia's is marginally better. Lastly, Bulgaria's current account balance sits at -1.8% while Czechia enjoys a balance of 1.8%, demonstrating a stronger economic positioning for Czechia.

Trade and Investment

Bulgaria's trade situation reflects challenges, with exports constituting 55.8% of its GDP and imports making up 53.5%, which results in a current account deficit. In contrast, Czechia's export and import ratios are higher, with 69.2% and 62.7%, respectively, leading to a current account surplus of 1.8%. Foreign direct investment is crucial for both economies, with Bulgaria securing 3.1% of GDP in net inflows, while Czechia is slightly ahead at 3.8%. Despite similar global investment conditions, Czechia outshines Bulgaria in investment attractiveness, with higher ratings in regulatory quality and control of corruption.

Governance and Institutions

Governance and institutional stability differ markedly between the two nations. Czechia ranks significantly higher in control of corruption (0.8 vs. -0.1) and government effectiveness (1.1 vs. 0), indicating more robust institutions and public sector performance. Political stability and absence of violence also favor Czechia, scoring 1 compared to Bulgaria’s lower score of 0.3, revealing a precarious political environment in Bulgaria. Regulatory quality mirrors this trend, where Czechia scores 1.3 and Bulgaria only reaches 0.4, highlighting the challenges Bulgaria faces in regulatory frameworks. The rule of law index shows Czechia at 1.1, while Bulgaria registers at 0, illustrating systemic issues in governance.

Infrastructure and Technology

In terms of infrastructure, Bulgaria shows a logistics performance index rating of 3.1, just above Czechia's score of 3.0, indicating a modest but comparable level of logistics and transport infrastructure effectiveness. Internet usage is comparatively high, with 80.4% of the Bulgarian population using the internet, while Czechia ranks slightly better at 86%. However, when it comes to research and development expenditure as a percentage of GDP, Bulgaria at 0.8% significantly lags behind Czechia's 2%, underscoring the latter’s commitment to innovation and technological advancement. Patent applications from residents further illustrate this disparity, with Bulgaria generating 165 applications compared to Czechia's 541 in 2021, indicating a healthier environment for technological innovation in Czechia.

Environment and Sustainability

Environmental metrics reveal some similarities yet stark contrasts in sustainability efforts. Bulgaria consumes a higher percentage of renewable energy at 20.4% compared to Czechia's 17.2%, suggesting a stronger inclination towards sustainable energy sources. However, Bulgaria also faces significant water stress, with 37.5% of freshwater resources being withdrawn, ranking 4th in water stress levels globally, while Czechia's level of water stress is much lower at 20.5%. Greenhouse gas emissions per capita are 8.3 tons in Bulgaria versus Czechia’s 10.5 tons, which indicates Bulgaria is performing slightly better in terms of emissions. These figures suggest that while Bulgaria may be making strides in renewable energy consumption, significant challenges remain in water resource management and overall environmental impact.