Bulgaria reports 0.7% economic growth in Q2 2026
Bulgaria’s economy grew by 0.7 per cent in the second quarter of the year, according to preliminary data announced by the National Statistical Institute (NSI) on September 7. The figure was slightly above the 0.6 per cent in last month’s NSI flash estimate.
Compared to the same period of 2025, Bulgaria’s economy grew by 2.8 per cent in the second quarter, exceeding the 2.7 per cent figure in the NSI flash estimate.
In real terms, gross domestic product (GDP) in April-June was 30.29 billion euro, NSI said.
NSI’s seasonally-adjusted preliminary data showed domestic consumption rose by 0.9 per cent during the second quarter, and was 6.2 per cent higher on an annual basis. Gross fixed capital formation shrank by 1.2 per cent in April-June, but was 11.4 per cent up compared to the second quarter of 2025.
Exports in the second quarter were 5.2 per cent lower, while imports fell by 1.8 per cent, with the trade balance showing a deficit of 1.04 billion euro, or 3.5 per cent of GDP. Compared to the second quarter of last year, exports were up 0.2 per cent and imports were 8.5 per cent higher.
Bulgaria’s Cabinet is targeting 2.6 per cent economic growth, under the macroeconomic framework approved as part of the 2026 Budget package. The European Commission projected 2.5 per cent growth for Bulgaria’s economy this year, in the spring forecast issued in May.
(Photo: Steve Ford/sxc.hu)
Please support independent journalism by clicking on the button below. For as little as three euro a month or the equivalent in other currencies, you can support The Sofia Globe via patreon.com and get access to exclusive subscriber-only content:
