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Economy of Albania vs Bulgaria compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Albania has a GDP of $30.5B compared to $131B for Bulgaria, ranking 113/197 and 63/197 by economy size, respectively.

Albania has $16.1B in government debt (52.6% of GDP), compared to $35.4B (27.1% of GDP) in Bulgaria.

Albania vs Bulgaria GDP by year

Albania
Bulgaria
1x
Year GDP, current $
Albania Bulgaria
2025 $30,540,188,271 $130,777,235,530
2024 $27,037,474,263 $113,349,149,167
2023 $23,491,242,727 $102,204,457,335
2022 $19,017,247,014 $90,510,784,778
2021 $18,031,989,573 $84,378,926,047
2020 $15,241,458,745 $70,490,478,088
2019 $15,585,111,614 $68,511,235,459
2018 $15,379,508,330 $66,100,606,677
2017 $13,258,268,436 $59,170,671,046
2016 $11,988,668,785 $53,932,152,154
2015 $11,470,171,827 $50,768,512,173
2014 $13,296,322,588 $57,083,817,240
2013 $12,796,985,886 $55,822,115,861
2012 $12,246,499,748 $54,299,825,600
2011 $12,973,755,875 $57,684,243,980
2010 $12,086,545,641 $50,691,645,231
2009 $12,335,540,656 $52,026,461,290
2008 $13,258,506,375 $54,483,464,293
2007 $11,116,937,870 $44,433,521,725
2006 $9,150,528,132 $34,382,295,487
2005 $8,256,658,250 $29,870,182,425
2004 $7,406,645,793 $26,159,078,743
2003 $5,801,712,040 $21,146,038,619
2002 $4,515,003,117 $16,403,880,783
2001 $4,059,064,033 $14,184,170,319
2000 $3,584,570,165 $13,246,669,554
1999 $3,283,941,510 $13,637,793,854
1998 $2,600,356,999 $15,031,821,788
1997 $2,293,666,030 $11,316,706,412
1996 $3,234,486,232 $12,295,588,924
1995 $2,905,092,799 $18,992,388,645
1994 $1,880,950,864 $9,709,230,161
1993 $1,185,315,468 $10,832,041,595
1992 $652,174,991 $8,602,874,120
1991 $1,099,559,028 $7,628,764,750
1990 $2,028,553,750 $20,726,605,649
1989 $2,253,090,000 $21,746,286,447
1988 $2,051,236,250 $23,003,003,708
1987 $2,080,796,250 $28,428,718,531
1986 $2,097,326,250 $20,261,546,635
1985 $1,897,050,117 $17,562,270,447
1984 $1,857,337,995 $17,410,894,971
1983 $1,881,412,587 $16,959,180,922
1982 $1,861,163,170 $19,803,624,625
1981 $1,808,177,156 $20,055,685,481
1980 $1,578,102,105 $20,039,544,133

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1980–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/albania/bulgaria | CC BY

GDP per capita in Albania vs Bulgaria by year

Albania
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Bulgaria
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Albania Bulgaria
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $12,998 - $20,328 -
2024 $11,374 $26,702 $17,597 $41,969
2023 $9,741 $24,822 $15,854 $38,829
2022 $7,757 $22,138 $14,000 $36,320
2021 $7,242 $18,213 $12,967 $30,959
2020 $6,028 $16,288 $10,761 $27,352
2019 $6,069 $16,442 $10,354 $26,766
2018 $5,898 $15,055 $9,850 $23,998
2017 $5,006 $14,111 $8,697 $22,317
2016 $4,458 $13,056 $7,823 $20,746
2015 $4,200 $12,387 $7,269 $18,896
2014 $4,794 $11,788 $8,070 $17,991
2013 $4,543 $10,882 $7,796 $16,894
2012 $4,281 $10,609 $7,432 $16,327
2011 $4,466 $10,273 $7,850 $15,747
2010 $4,149 $9,755 $6,854 $14,954
2009 $4,214 $9,031 $6,989 $14,188
2008 $4,499 $8,469 $7,272 $14,347
2007 $3,743 $7,585 $5,889 $12,822
2006 $3,058 $6,753 $4,523 $11,406
2005 $2,742 $6,014 $3,900 $10,291
2004 $2,447 $5,595 $3,390 $9,200
2003 $1,909 $5,169 $2,720 $8,416
2002 $1,480 $4,840 $2,093 $7,786
2001 $1,326 $4,451 $1,771 $6,960
2000 $1,160 $3,978 $1,621 $6,424
1999 $1,056 $3,549 $1,661 $5,808
1998 $831 $3,086 $1,821 $6,178
1997 $729 $2,760 $1,361 $5,751
1996 $1,021 $3,054 $1,470 $6,849
1995 $911 $2,777 $2,259 $7,743
1994 $586 $2,385 $1,150 $7,338
1993 $367 $2,143 $1,279 $7,032
1992 $200.9 $1,899 $1,007 $6,917
1991 $337 $1,989 $884 $7,215
1990 $617 $2,656 $2,377 $7,548
1989 $698 - $2,450 -
1988 $653 - $2,561 -
1987 $675 - $3,169 -
1986 $694 - $2,262 -
1985 $640 - $1,960 -
1984 $639 - $1,943 -
1983 $662 - $1,897 -
1982 $668 - $2,221 -
1981 $663 - $2,256 -
1980 $591 - $2,261 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1980–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/albania/bulgaria | CC BY

Albania's GDP per capita is $12,998, ranking 79/197, compared to $20,328 in Bulgaria, ranking 58/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Albania ranks 79th at $26,702, while Bulgaria ranks 54th at $41,969.

Economic indicators

Albania Bulgaria
Gross domestic product
$30.5B
2025
$131B
2025
GDP rank
113/197
2025
63/197
2025
GDP growth
3.79%
2024-2025
3.1%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$12,998
2025
$20,328
2025
GDP per capita rank
79/197
2025
58/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$26,702
2024
$41,969
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
79/197
2024
54/197
2024
Government debt
$16.1B
2025
$35.4B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
52.6%
2025
27.1%
2025
Government debt per person
$6,837
2025
$5,507
2025
Government debt per person rank
72/185
2025
79/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$9,481
2026
$16,126
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$11.2B
2025
Number of billionaires
1
2026
2
2026
Income share by richest 10%
22.8%
2020
31.1%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
3.4%
2020
2.1%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
30.1%
2025
38.9%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
2.2%
2024-2025
3.5%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
2.5%
2025
1.81%
2025
Unemployment rate
8.43%
2024
3.5%
2025
Population
2332078
6390149

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Albania
Spending

Debt
Bulgaria
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Albania Bulgaria
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 30.1% 52.6% 38.9% 27.1%
2024 28.9% 54.5% 36.3% 23.8%
2023 28.5% 58% 37.5% 22.9%
2022 30.3% 64.7% 37.6% 22.5%
2021 31.9% 74.8% 38.5% 23.9%
2020 32.4% 75.4% 37.7% 22.7%
2019 28.7% 66.6% 36.1% 18.4%
2018 28.7% 68.5% 34.4% 20.1%
2017 29.2% 71.9% 32% 22.9%
2016 29.1% 73.3% 32.7% 27%
2015 30.8% 73.7% 37.3% 25.4%
2014 31.7% 72% 37.1% 26.3%
2013 29.2% 70.4% 35.5% 17.2%
2012 28.2% 62.1% 32.5% 16.5%
2011 28.9% 59.4% 32% 14.3%
2010 29.4% 57.7% 34.6% 14.1%
2009 32.7% 59.7% 33.8% 14.5%
2008 31.7% 55.1% 33.5% 14.7%
2007 29.3% 53.6% 33.1% 17.6%
2006 29.2% 56.7% 32.5% 22.6%
2005 28.9% 58.2% 34% 28.5%
2004 30.2% 57.5% 34.6% 37.8%
2003 29.7% 60.2% 35.8% 45.4%
2002 31.5% 64.1% 35.1% 53.4%
2001 32.7% 60.6% 36.5% 67.1%
2000 33.8% 63.8% 37.1% 73.3%
1999 37.1% 68.2% 36.2% 78.7%
1998 36.8% 71.2% 30.6% 67.3%
1997 30.3% 72.2% 32.9% 88.4%
1996 - - 44% 113.8%
1995 - - 45.4% 72%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1995–1997, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/albania/bulgaria | CC BY

In 2025, Albania's government spending was $9.19B, accounting for 30.1% of its GDP, while Bulgaria spent $50.8B, or 38.9% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 52.6% in Albania and 27.1% in Bulgaria, ranking 96/185 and 164/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Albania

Bulgaria
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Albania Bulgaria
2025 -1.75% -3.01%
2024 -0.72% -3.01%
2023 -1.32% -3.04%
2022 -3.64% -0.8%
2021 -4.57% -2.8%
2020 -6.67% -2.92%
2019 -1.84% -0.96%
2018 -1.58% 0.12%
2017 -1.41% 0.82%
2016 -1.5% 1.54%
2015 -4.32% -2.77%
2014 -5.46% -3.65%
2013 -5.22% -1.75%
2012 -3.44% -0.43%
2011 -3.52% -1.83%
2010 -3.52% -3.77%
2009 -6.59% -0.86%
2008 -4.88% 2.73%
2007 -3.18% 3.09%
2006 -3.26% 3.22%
2005 -3.46% 2.19%
2004 -5.16% 1.59%
2003 -5.01% 0.003%
2002 -6.21% -0.61%
2001 -6.84% -0.58%
2000 -7.77% -0.6%
1999 -8.84% 0.15%
1998 -9.93% 1.08%
1997 -11.9% 0.83%
1996 - -10.1%
1995 - -7.98%
1994 - -
1993 - -
1992 - -
1991 - -
1990 - -
1989 - -
1988 - -
1987 - -
1986 - -
1985 - -
1984 - -
1983 - -
1982 - -
1981 - -
1980 - -
1979 - -
1978 - -
1977 - -
1976 - -
1975 - -
1974 - -
1973 - -
1972 - -
1971 - -
1970 - -
1969 - -
1968 - -
1967 - -
1966 - -
1965 - -
1964 - -
1963 - -
1962 - -
1961 - -
1960 - -
1959 - -
1958 - -
1957 - -
1956 - -
1955 - -
1954 - -
1953 - -
1952 - -
1951 - -
1950 - -
1949 - -
1948 - -
1947 - -
1946 - -
1945 - -
1944 - 0%
1943 - 0%
1942 - -0.3%
1941 - 3.96%
1940 - 0.75%
1939 - 0.72%
1938 - 1%
1937 - 1.41%
1936 - 1.17%
1935 - 1.34%
1934 - -0.12%
1933 - -0.56%
1932 - -2.14%
1931 - -3.07%
1930 - -5.48%
1929 - -6.67%
1928 - -1.09%
1927 - -0.02%
1926 - -0.25%
1925 - -0.97%
1924 - 1.26%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1924–1997, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/albania/bulgaria | CC BY

In 2025, Albania's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $533M, equivalent to 1.75% of GDP. This compares to Bulgaria's deficit of $3.94B, or 3.01% of GDP.

Over the past 29 years, Albania recorded a fiscal deficit in 29 of those years, while Bulgaria ran a deficit in 17 years. On average, Albania posted an annual deficit equal to 4.6% of GDP, compared to deficit of 0.55% of GDP for Bulgaria.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Albania

Bulgaria
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Albania Bulgaria
2025 2.2% 3.5%
2024 2.2% 2.6%
2023 4.8% 8.6%
2022 6.7% 13%
2021 2% 2.8%
2020 1.6% 1.2%
2019 1.4% 2.5%
2018 2% 2.6%
2017 2% 1.2%
2016 1.3% -1.3%
2015 1.9% -1.1%
2014 1.6% -1.6%
2013 1.9% 0.4%
2012 2% 2.4%
2011 3.4% 3.4%
2010 3.6% 3%
2009 2.2% 2.5%
2008 3.3% 12%
2007 3% 7.6%
2006 2.4% 7.4%
2005 2.4% 6%
2004 2.9% 6.1%
2003 2.4% 2.3%
2002 5.2% 5.8%
2001 3.1% 7.4%
2000 0% 10.3%
1999 0.4% 2.6%
1998 20.6% 18.7%
1997 33.2% 1,061%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/albania/bulgaria | CC BY

Over the past 29 years, Albania has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 4.2%, compared with 41.1% in Bulgaria. In 2025, inflation was 2.2% in Albania and 3.5% in Bulgaria.

Top exports between countries

Albania
Export category Export value
Transport & tourism services $30.4M
Metals $12.9M
Raw agricultural goods $12.3M
Business & finance services $6.81M
Textiles & consumer goods $6.6M
Machinery & equipment $4.93M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $3.59M
IT & IP services $2.16M
Weapons & explosives $757K
Chemicals & pharma $584K
Bulgaria
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $38.9M
Textiles & consumer goods $31.8M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $26.2M
Chemicals & pharma $22.8M
Metals $10.1M
Raw materials & minerals $6.66M
Wood & paper products $3.48M
Miscellaneous $3.46M
Animal & marine products $3.06M
Raw agricultural goods $2.41M

Balance of trade

Albania Bulgaria
Current account balance
-$161M
2025
-$7.64B
2025
Current account balance ranking
86/190
2025
170/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
-0.53%
2025
-5.84%
2025
Goods imports
$8.52B
2025
$58.5B
2025
Goods exports
$1.76B
2025
$47.9B
2025
Service imports
$4.55B
2025
$9.42B
2025
Service exports
$9.66B
2025
$18.6B
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
42.5%
2025
51.8%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
37%
2025
50.7%
2025

Economic freedom indices

The indices of economic freedom below are issued by the Heritage Foundation. Higher scores indicate stronger economic health.

Albania Bulgaria
Economic freedom 68 68.9
Economic freedom ranking 50/197 44/197
Property rights 57.6 75.8
Government integrity 41.9 48.4
Judicial effectiveness 59.9 58.5
Tax burden 89.3 89.1
Government spending 74.3 58.4
Fiscal health 88 90.4
Business freedom 76.6 78.2
Labor freedom 46.2 62.4
Monetary freedom 78.6 75.8
Trade freedom 83 79.4
Investment freedom 60 60
Financial freedom 60 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Albania
Bulgaria
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Albania Bulgaria
2026 68 68.9
2025 66.6 68.8
2024 64.8 68.5
2023 65.3 69.3
2022 66.6 71
2021 65.2 70.4
2020 66.9 70.2
2019 66.5 69
2018 64.5 68.3
2017 64.4 67.9
2016 65.9 65.9
2015 65.7 66.8
2014 66.9 65.7
2013 65.2 65
2012 65.1 64.7
2011 64 64.9
2010 66 62.3
2009 63.7 64.6
2008 62.4 63.7
2007 61.4 62.7
2006 60.3 64.1
2005 57.8 62.3
2004 58.5 59.2
2003 56.8 57
2002 56.8 57.1
2001 56.6 51.9
2000 53.6 47.3
1999 53.4 46.2
1998 53.9 45.7
1997 54.8 47.6
1996 53.8 48.6
1995 49.7 50

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/albania/bulgaria | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Albania is 68, ranking 50/197, compared to 68.9 for Bulgaria, ranking 44/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Albania Bulgaria
Services, % of GDP
49.7%
2025
63.3%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
21.8%
2025
21.2%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
14.8%
2025
2.47%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$28.3B
2025
$114B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$28,170
2025
$42,170
2025
Total reserves including gold
$8.6B
2025
$47.1B
2025
Total reserves ranking
86/177
2025
51/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$1.51B
2025
-$3.37B
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.71B
2024
$3.05B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$261M
2024
$1.21B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
3.25%
2024
6.8%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
19.7%
2022
21.7%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
25%
2024
21.7%
2025

GDP per capita map

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/albania/bulgaria | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1980–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1924–1997, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. TradeMap (2023–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)

Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) — you’re free to copy, share, remix, adapt, and use even commercially as long as you give appropriate credit and clearly indicate if you made changes. Other sources may be subject to different license terms.

The current account balance is the sum of net trade in goods and services, net earnings from cross-border investments, and net transfer payments. It reflects a country's economic transactions with the rest of the world and is a fundamental component of the balance of payments. A surplus indicates that a country exports more than it imports, while a deficit shows the opposite.

Gross National Income (GNI) measures a country's total income. It encompasses income earned by residents, businesses, and foreign sources, defined as employee compensation and investment profits. GNI adds product taxes not included elsewhere and subtracts subsidies. It accounts for income from residents working abroad but excludes earnings from foreigners within the country.

A negative value for Net Foreign Direct Investment indicates a country is a net receiver of investments, as foreign inflows exceed outflows after Balance of Payments adjustments. A positive value indicates a net provider, with outflows exceeding inflows. Inflows are credits (increasing foreign claims on domestic assets), while outflows are debits (increasing domestic assets abroad).

Foreign direct investment (FDI, net inflows) shows how much capital foreign investors bring into a country after accounting for any funds that flow back in the opposite direction. It represents the net value of overseas companies establishing, expanding, or financing businesses in the reporting country. A positive number means more capital entered the country than was withdrawn, while a negative number means foreign investors pulled out more than they invested.

Foreign direct investment (FDI, net outflows) shows how much capital residents of a country invest abroad after accounting for any funds that flow back in the opposite direction. It represents the net value of domestic companies establishing, expanding, or financing businesses in other countries. A positive number means more capital was invested abroad than withdrawn, while a negative number means residents pulled back more than they invested.

Principal and interest payments to the IMF in currency, goods, or services on long-term debt expressed as a share of GNI.

Formerly gross domestic investment, gross capital formation measures the share of a country’s economic output invested in fixed assets, including buildings, machinery, and infrastructure. It indicates how much of the economy is devoted to building productive capacity.