Bulgaria's growth continues

The Bulgarian economy recorded stable growth in the second quarter of 2025, with gross domestic product increasing by 3.4 percent compared to the same period of the previous year. According to preliminary seasonally adjusted data published by the National Statistical Institute (NSI), GDP increased by 0.9 percent quarter-on-quarter. Gross value added (GVA) also followed a positive trend, increasing by 0.7 percent compared to the first quarter. Final consumption increased by 1.8 percent, exports of goods and services increased by 0.7 percent, while imports decreased by 1.4 percent. On an annual basis, total GDP increased by 2.8 percent. The strongest growth was seen in "Public administration, education, health and social services" with 8.2 percent. This was followed by "Construction" with 7 percent and "Real estate activities" with 5.5 percent. The information and communications sector grew by 5.4 percent, and finance and insurance activities by 5.1 percent. NOT ALL SECTORS STRENGTHENED Agriculture, forestry, and fisheries contracted by 4 percent, while industry and energy declined by 3.1 percent, reflecting the ongoing challenges in these areas. Household and public consumption remain the main drivers of the country's economic growth. In the second quarter alone, final consumption increased by 8.3 percent compared to the same period in 2024. During the same period, foreign trade saw mixed results, with exports of goods and services falling by 4.8 percent year-on-year, while imports increased by 0.1 percent.