NSI poll: Business sentiment in Bulgaria declined in October

There was a downturn in business sentiment in Bulgaria in October compared with September, according to a poll by the National Statistical Institute (NSI), the results of which were released on October 29

In October 2026, the total business climate indicator decreased by 2.1 percentage points in comparison with September, with the indicator down in the industry and the service sectors, largely unchanged in the construction sector. Only in the retail trade was an improvement reported.

In the industry sector, the indicator dropped by 2.8 percentage points, with managers unfavourable in their views and expectations about the business situation.

In the service sector, the indicator was down by 6.9 percentage points because of managers’ worsened assessments and expectations about the business situation

In October, the composite indicator “business climate in construction” was largely unchanged compared with September. In the construction entrepreneurs’ opinion, in the next half year, a decrease of the new orders is expected, which will also lead to a contraction of the activity in the short term.

In the retail trade, the indicator was up by 1.2 percentage points as a result of retailers’ favourable assessments and expectations about the business situation. Their forecasts about the volume of sales over the next three months were also positive, the NSI said.

(Photo: Steve McGrath/ freeimages.com)