site.btaBulgaria's GDP Grows by 2.9% in Q1 of 2026

Bulgaria's gross domestic product (GDP) grew by 2.9% in the first quarter of 2026 compared with the same period of 2025, according to flash estimates released on Wednesday by the National Statistical Institute (NSI).

On a quarterly basis, seasonally adjusted GDP increased by 0.7% compared with the fourth quarter of 2025.

According to the estimates, Bulgaria's GDP reached EUR 25.314 billion in nominal terms in the January-March period, while gross value added totalled EUR 21.942 billion.

Final consumption accounted for the largest share of GDP at 88.8%, amounting to EUR 22.484 billion. Gross fixed capital formation stood at EUR 4.381 billion, or 17.3% of GDP, while the country's foreign trade balance remained negative.

Seasonally adjusted data showed gross value added rising by 2.6% year on year. Final consumption increased by 6.9%, while gross fixed capital formation grew by 8%. Exports of goods and services edged up by 0.4%, while imports rose by 6.4%.

Compared with the previous quarter, economic growth was driven mainly by a 1.1% increase in gross fixed capital formation and a 1.4% rise in final consumption.

In its latest spring macroeconomic forecast, Bulgaria's Ministry of Finance projected real economic growth of 2.6% for 2026.