Bulgaria Bulgaria vs Poland Poland development indicators, 2024

Indicator
Bulgaria
Bulgaria, Value
Poland
Poland, Value
Bulgaria
Bulgaria, Rank
Poland
Poland, Rank
Bulgaria Bulgaria as % of
Poland Poland
Current account balance (% of GDP) -1.79 0.196 71 52
Exports of goods and services (% of GDP) 55.8 52.3 33 37 107 %
Foreign direct investment, net inflows (% of GDP) 3.12 2.02 40 53 155 %
GDP per capita (current US$) 17,412 25,023 62 48 69.6 %
GDP per capita, PPP (current international US$) 41,086 50,378 56 42 81.6 %
Imports of goods and services (% of GDP) 53.5 48.3 49 58 111 %
Inflation, consumer prices (annual %) 2.45 3.79 97 56 64.5 %
Net migration 524 -238,062 74 207
Population, total 6,444,366 36,554,707 110 42 17.6 %

Demography and Health

Bulgaria has a crude birth rate of 8.9 per 1,000 people, which is higher than Poland's rate of 7.4, ranking 45th compared to Poland's 72nd. However, Bulgaria faces a high crude death rate of 15.7 per 1,000 people, placing it 9th in the world, significantly above Poland's 11.1, which ranks 40th. In terms of life expectancy, Bulgarians live an average of 75.7 years, while Poles have a higher life expectancy of 78.5 years. Bulgaria’s under-5 mortality rate stands at 6.1 per 1,000 live births, which is better than Poland's rate of 4.4, ranking Bulgaria 6th and Poland 16th. The net migration rate shows a stark contrast, with Bulgaria experiencing a net gain of 524 individuals, while Poland sees a net loss of 238,062 migrants. Overall, Bulgaria demonstrates higher birth rates, while Poland excels in life expectancy and lower death rates.

Economy

The economic landscape shows Poland with a stronger performance. Poland's GDP per capita is $25,023 compared to Bulgaria's $17,412. When adjusted for purchasing power parity (PPP), Bulgaria's GDP per capita is $41,086, but Poland outshines with $50,378. Both countries export a substantial percentage of their GDP, with Bulgaria at 55.8% compared to Poland's 52.3%. However, Bulgaria has a higher import level as a percentage of GDP at 53.5%, while Poland's imports are at 48.3%. Bulgaria's inflation rate is lower at 2.4%, compared to Poland's 3.8%, making it more favorable for consumers.

Trade and Investment

In terms of foreign direct investment (FDI), Bulgaria sees a net inflow of 3.1% of GDP, indicating a more favorable investment climate than Poland, which has a 2% inflow. However, while Bulgaria ranks 68th for exports, Poland holds a slightly better 73rd position. The patent applications reflect significant innovation activity, with Bulgaria submitting 165 applications compared to Poland's substantial 3,377. The research and development expenditure in Bulgaria is only 0.8% of GDP, while Poland allocates 1.5%, demonstrating Poland's stronger commitment to innovation and technological advancement.

Governance and Institutions

In governance metrics, Poland generally performs better than Bulgaria. The control of corruption index shows Bulgaria at -0.1 versus Poland's 0.6, highlighting a greater prevalence of corruption in Bulgaria. Similarly, in government effectiveness, Bulgaria scores 0 compared to Poland's 0.4. The rule of law in Bulgaria is lower at 0, while Poland rates 0.5, indicating stronger legal frameworks in Poland. Furthermore, the overall political stability shows Poland at 0.6, while Bulgaria's is lower at 0.3, underscoring a more stable political environment in Poland.

Infrastructure and Technology

When it comes to infrastructure, Poland demonstrates better logistics performance index ratings at 3.5 compared to Bulgaria's 3.1, indicating superior trade and transport-related infrastructure. Internet usage showcases that 80.4% of the Bulgarian population is online, which is lower than Poland’s impressive 86.4%, reflecting better digital inclusion in Poland. High-technology exports also highlight a considerable gap; Bulgaria generates $3.2 billion, contrasting sharply with Poland’s $29.6 billion, underlining Poland's advantage in high-value industry sectors.

Environment and Sustainability

On the environmental front, Bulgaria leads with a renewable energy consumption rate of 20.4%, compared to Poland's 15.2%, showcasing Bulgaria's greater commitment to sustainable energy sources. However, Bulgaria experiences a notably higher level of water stress, with freshwater withdrawals accounting for 37.5% of available resources, compared to Poland's 32.1%. In terms of greenhouse gas emissions, Bulgaria emits 8.3 tons of CO2 per capita, whereas Poland's emissions are higher at 9.9 tons per capita, indicating a more environmentally friendly approach by Bulgaria. Lastly, both countries have similar undernourishment rates, standing at 2.5% of the population.