Bulgaria reports 0.7% economic growth in Q1 2026
Bulgaria’s economy grew by 0.7 per cent in the first quarter of the year, according to preliminary data announced by the National Statistical Institute (NSI) on June 5. The figure was in line with last month’s NSI flash estimate.
Compared to the same period of 2025, Bulgaria’s economy grew by 3.1 per cent in the first quarter, exceeding the 2.9 per cent figure in the NSI flash estimate.
In real terms, gross domestic product (GDP) in January-March was 27.33 billion euro, NSI said.
NSI’s seasonally-adjusted preliminary data showed domestic consumption rose by 1.7 per cent during the first quarter, and was 7.8 per cent higher on an annual basis. Gross fixed capital formation increased by 4.9 per cent in January-March, and was 18.7 per cent up compared to the first quarter of 2025.
Exports in the first quarter were 5.6 per cent lower, while imports fell by 0.2 per cent, with the trade balance showing a deficit of 1.14 billion euro, or 4.2 per cent of GDP. Compared to the first quarter of last year, exports were down 7.4 per cent and imports were 8.2 per cent higher.
In the absence of a 2026 Budget package, Bulgaria does not have an official growth target for the year yet. The European Commission projected 2.5 per cent growth for Bulgaria’s economy this year, in the spring forecast issued last month.
(Photo: Steve Ford/sxc.hu)
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