site.btaBulgaria's Economy Grows 3.1%, Y/Y, in Q1 of 2026

Bulgaria's gross domestic product (GDP) grew by 3.1% in the first quarter of 2026 compared with the first quarter of 2025 and by 0.7% compared with the fourth quarter of 2025, the National Statistical Institute (NSI) said on Friday.

According to NSI data, in the first quarter of 2025 GDP increased by 3.1%, year-on-year, and by 0.6% compared with the preceding quarter. In the fourth quarter of 2025, the economy expanded by 3% from the comparable period of 2024 and by 0.8% from the third quarter of 2025.

According to preliminary estimates, GDP at current prices amounted to EUR 27.33 billion in the first quarter of 2026. Per capita GDP stood at EUR 4,262. Gross value added generated by the national economy totalled EUR 23.84 billion at current prices.

The agricultural sector accounted for 1.5% of the total value added, down 0.1 percentage points from the first quarter of 2025. The industrial sector increased its share by 1.6 percentage points to 26.7%. The services sector generated 71.8% of the total value added, down 1.5 percentage points from the first quarter of 2025.

In the first quarter of 2026, final consumption accounted for 81.3% of GDP. Gross fixed capital formation represented 15.7% of GDP. The balance of trade in goods and services remained negative.