Skip to content

Economy of Bahrain vs Bulgaria compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Bahrain has a GDP of $49B compared to $131B for Bulgaria, ranking 98/197 and 63/197 by economy size, respectively.

Bahrain has $72.3B in government debt (147.6% of GDP), compared to $35.4B (27.1% of GDP) in Bulgaria.

Bahrain vs Bulgaria GDP by year

Bahrain
Bulgaria
1x
Year GDP, current $
Bahrain Bulgaria
2025 $48,965,725,532 $130,777,235,530
2024 $47,210,732,713 $113,349,149,167
2023 $46,192,260,638 $102,204,457,335
2022 $46,458,191,489 $90,510,784,778
2021 $40,840,212,766 $84,378,926,047
2020 $35,837,632,979 $70,490,478,088
2019 $40,446,808,511 $68,511,235,459
2018 $39,567,978,723 $66,100,606,677
2017 $37,204,813,830 $59,170,671,046
2016 $33,884,680,851 $53,932,152,154
2015 $32,523,297,872 $50,768,512,173
2014 $34,772,526,596 $57,083,817,240
2013 $33,823,324,468 $55,822,115,861
2012 $31,963,404,255 $54,299,825,600
2011 $29,914,680,851 $57,684,243,980
2010 $26,805,984,043 $50,691,645,231
2009 $22,938,218,085 $52,026,461,290
2008 $25,710,904,255 $54,483,464,293
2007 $21,730,000,000 $44,433,521,725
2006 $18,504,760,638 $34,382,295,487
2005 $15,968,723,404 $29,870,182,425
2004 $13,150,159,574 $26,159,078,743
2003 $11,074,813,830 $21,146,038,619
2002 $9,593,510,638 $16,403,880,783
2001 $8,976,196,809 $14,184,170,319
2000 $9,062,898,936 $13,246,669,554
1999 $7,528,469,149 $13,637,793,854
1998 $7,031,309,043 $15,031,821,788
1997 $7,219,407,713 $11,316,706,412
1996 $6,938,166,755 $12,295,588,924
1995 $6,651,180,851 $18,992,388,645
1994 $6,330,627,926 $9,709,230,161
1993 $5,913,001,064 $10,832,041,595
1992 $5,402,232,447 $8,602,874,120
1991 $5,248,911,170 $7,628,764,750
1990 $4,809,511,005 $20,726,605,649
1989 $4,393,093,963 $21,746,286,447
1988 $4,209,834,173 $23,003,003,708
1987 $3,856,922,694 $28,428,718,531
1986 $3,470,746,843 $20,261,546,635
1985 $4,152,376,484 $17,562,270,447
1984 $4,440,874,566 $17,410,894,971
1983 $4,247,030,468 $16,959,180,922
1982 $4,145,421,080 $19,803,624,625
1981 $3,943,109,532 $20,055,685,481
1980 $3,493,834,468 $20,039,544,133
1979 $2,710,160,739 -
1978 $2,272,042,965 -
1977 $1,989,060,283 -
1976 $1,581,709,519 -
1975 $1,099,107,601 -
1974 $1,042,176,884 -
1973 $761,132,545 -
1972 $534,081,184 -
1971 $422,181,562 -
1970 $391,577,364 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1970–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

GDP per capita in Bahrain vs Bulgaria by year

Bahrain
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Bulgaria
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Bahrain Bulgaria
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $30,597 - $20,328 -
2024 $29,717 $66,941 $17,597 $41,969
2023 $29,290 $64,171 $15,854 $38,829
2022 $30,471 $61,678 $14,000 $36,320
2021 $27,148 $54,955 $12,967 $30,959
2020 $24,343 $53,436 $10,761 $27,352
2019 $27,260 $56,600 $10,354 $26,766
2018 $26,324 $51,993 $9,850 $23,998
2017 $24,785 $50,185 $8,697 $22,317
2016 $23,800 $47,429 $7,823 $20,746
2015 $23,734 $48,034 $7,269 $18,896
2014 $26,452 $54,299 $8,070 $17,991
2013 $26,990 $56,310 $7,796 $16,894
2012 $26,439 $56,713 $7,432 $16,327
2011 $25,033 $52,677 $7,850 $15,747
2010 $21,819 $49,255 $6,854 $14,954
2009 $19,465 $48,626 $6,989 $14,188
2008 $23,299 $50,330 $7,272 $14,347
2007 $20,908 $49,347 $5,889 $12,822
2006 $19,267 $48,009 $4,523 $11,406
2005 $17,966 $47,268 $3,900 $10,291
2004 $15,964 $46,317 $3,390 $9,200
2003 $14,486 $45,427 $2,720 $8,416
2002 $13,501 $45,091 $2,093 $7,786
2001 $13,573 $46,162 $1,771 $6,960
2000 $14,214 $45,688 $1,621 $6,424
1999 $12,123 $43,561 $1,661 $5,808
1998 $11,625 $42,281 $1,821 $6,178
1997 $12,255 $40,965 $1,361 $5,751
1996 $12,092 $40,106 $1,470 $6,849
1995 $11,901 $38,839 $2,259 $7,743
1994 $11,629 $37,579 $1,150 $7,338
1993 $11,152 $37,870 $1,279 $7,032
1992 $10,460 $33,648 $1,007 $6,917
1991 $10,434 $31,657 $884 $7,215
1990 $9,343 $26,902 $2,377 $7,548
1989 $8,833 - $2,450 -
1988 $8,772 - $2,561 -
1987 $8,333 - $3,169 -
1986 $7,777 - $2,262 -
1985 $9,649 - $1,960 -
1984 $10,697 - $1,943 -
1983 $10,599 - $1,897 -
1982 $10,712 - $2,221 -
1981 $10,557 - $2,256 -
1980 $9,733 - $2,261 -
1979 $7,891 - - -
1978 $6,926 - - -
1977 $6,358 - - -
1976 $5,310 - - -
1975 $3,880 - - -
1974 $3,874 - - -
1973 $2,981 - - -
1972 $2,206 - - -
1971 $1,830 - - -
1970 $1,742 - - -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1970–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Bahrain's GDP per capita is $30,597, ranking 44/197, compared to $20,328 in Bulgaria, ranking 58/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Bahrain ranks 26th at $66,941, while Bulgaria ranks 54th at $41,969.

Economic indicators

Bahrain Bulgaria
Gross domestic product
$49B
2025
$131B
2025
GDP rank
98/197
2025
63/197
2025
GDP growth
3.48%
2024-2025
3.1%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$30,597
2025
$20,328
2025
GDP per capita rank
44/197
2025
58/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$66,941
2024
$41,969
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
26/197
2024
54/197
2024
Government debt
$72.3B
2025
$35.4B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
147.6%
2025
27.1%
2025
Government debt per person
$45,165
2025
$5,507
2025
Government debt per person rank
13/185
2025
79/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$23,191
2026
$16,126
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$21.3B
2025
$11.2B
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
2
2026
Income share by richest 10% n/a
31.1%
2023
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
2.1%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
29.4%
2025
38.9%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
-0.14%
2024-2025
3.5%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
4.25%
2025
1.81%
2025
Unemployment rate
0.89%
2015
3.5%
2025
Population
1649267
6390149

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Bahrain
Spending

Debt
Bulgaria
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Bahrain Bulgaria
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 29.4% 147.6% 38.9% 27.1%
2024 28.9% 133.7% 36.3% 23.8%
2023 29% 123% 37.5% 22.9%
2022 28.4% 111.6% 37.6% 22.5%
2021 30.6% 122.3% 38.5% 23.9%
2020 34.6% 125.7% 37.7% 22.7%
2019 31.2% 97.1% 36.1% 18.4%
2018 32.1% 90.4% 34.4% 20.1%
2017 30.7% 84% 32% 22.9%
2016 33.3% 77.4% 32.7% 27%
2015 34.8% 63.2% 37.3% 25.4%
2014 27.3% 42.6% 37.1% 26.3%
2013 32% 42.3% 35.5% 17.2%
2012 31.1% 34.8% 32.5% 16.5%
2011 30.2% 31.6% 32% 14.3%
2010 31.1% 28.8% 34.6% 14.1%
2009 24.6% 20.5% 33.8% 14.5%
2008 22.7% 12.1% 33.5% 14.7%
2007 22.4% 15.7% 33.1% 17.6%
2006 23.1% 19.4% 32.5% 22.6%
2005 23.9% 23.2% 34% 28.5%
2004 25% 28.2% 34.6% 37.8%
2003 28.1% 31.1% 35.8% 45.4%
2002 30.6% 27.2% 35.1% 53.4%
2001 26.5% 25% 36.5% 67.1%
2000 22.2% 24.7% 37.1% 73.3%
1999 27.1% 24.7% 36.2% 78.7%
1998 25.7% 20% 30.6% 67.3%
1997 31% 14.8% 32.9% 88.4%
1996 22.7% 13.1% 44% 113.8%
1995 25.1% 13.6% 45.4% 72%
1994 26.1% 5.62% - -
1993 26.7% 5.95% - -
1992 29.4% 6.45% - -
1991 28.5% 6.71% - -
1990 32.4% 7.24% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1995–1997, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Bahrain's government spending was $14.4B, accounting for 29.4% of its GDP, while Bulgaria spent $50.8B, or 38.9% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 147.6% in Bahrain and 27.1% in Bulgaria, ranking 6/185 and 164/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Bahrain

Bulgaria
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Bahrain Bulgaria
2025 -13% -3.01%
2024 -11% -3.01%
2023 -9.66% -3.04%
2022 -6.03% -0.8%
2021 -10.6% -2.8%
2020 -17.3% -2.92%
2019 -8.57% -0.96%
2018 -11.3% 0.12%
2017 -13.4% 0.82%
2016 -16.6% 1.54%
2015 -17.5% -2.77%
2014 -3.32% -3.65%
2013 -8.55% -1.75%
2012 -5.77% -0.43%
2011 -4.9% -1.83%
2010 -9.29% -3.77%
2009 -5.36% -0.86%
2008 4.08% 2.73%
2007 1.52% 3.09%
2006 2.24% 3.22%
2005 2.8% 2.19%
2004 0.24% 1.59%
2003 -1.7% 0.003%
2002 -3.27% -0.61%
2001 0.7% -0.58%
2000 7.33% -0.6%
1999 -4.85% 0.15%
1998 -5.49% 1.08%
1997 -6.39% 0.83%
1996 0.24% -10.1%
1995 -3.99% -7.98%
1994 -5.18% -
1993 -2.77% -
1992 -5.41% -
1991 -3.47% -
1990 -6.79% -
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 (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1924–1997, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Bahrain's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $6.35B, equivalent to 13% of GDP. This compares to Bulgaria's deficit of $3.94B, or 3.01% of GDP.

Over the past 31 years, Bahrain recorded a fiscal deficit in 23 of those years, while Bulgaria ran a deficit in 19 years. On average, Bahrain posted an annual deficit equal to 5.76% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.1% of GDP for Bulgaria.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Bahrain

Bulgaria
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Bahrain Bulgaria
2025 -0.14% 3.5%
2024 0.92% 2.6%
2023 0.07% 8.6%
2022 3.63% 13%
2021 -0.61% 2.8%
2020 -2.32% 1.2%
2019 1.01% 2.5%
2018 2.09% 2.6%
2017 1.39% 1.2%
2016 2.79% -1.3%
2015 1.85% -1.1%
2014 2.65% -1.6%
2013 3.3% 0.4%
2012 2.76% 2.4%
2011 -0.4% 3.4%
2010 1.96% 3%
2009 2.8% 2.5%
2008 3.53% 12%
2007 3.26% 7.6%
2006 2.01% 7.4%
2005 2.59% 6%
2004 2.35% 6.1%
2003 1.59% 2.3%
2002 -0.5% 5.8%
2001 -1.21% 7.4%
2000 -0.7% 10.3%
1999 -1.29% 2.6%
1998 -0.37% 18.7%
1997 2.43% 1,061%

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

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

Over the past 29 years, Bahrain has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 1.29%, compared with 41.1% in Bulgaria. In 2025, inflation was -0.14% in Bahrain and 3.5% in Bulgaria.

Top exports between countries

Bahrain
Export category Export value
Metals $39.3M
Chemicals & pharma $54K
Machinery & equipment $30K
Textiles & consumer goods $22K
Animal & marine products $20K
Precious metals & jewellery $14K
Miscellaneous $1K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $1K
Bulgaria
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $1.51M
Wood & paper products $725K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $402K
Chemicals & pharma $295K
Textiles & consumer goods $254K
Metals $236K
Raw agricultural goods $177K
Raw materials & minerals $118K
Precious metals & jewellery $28K
Miscellaneous $18K

Balance of trade

Bahrain Bulgaria
Current account balance
$2.28B
2024
-$7.64B
2025
Current account balance ranking
43/190
2024
170/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
+4.83%
2024
-5.84%
2025
Goods imports
$20.7B
2024
$58.5B
2025
Goods exports
$24.3B
2024
$47.9B
2025
Service imports
$12.4B
2024
$9.42B
2025
Service exports
$17B
2024
$18.6B
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
70%
2024
51.8%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
87.5%
2024
50.7%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Bahrain Bulgaria
Economic freedom 65.7 68.9
Economic freedom ranking 63/197 44/197
Property rights 60.9 75.8
Government integrity 45.9 48.4
Judicial effectiveness 30 58.5
Tax burden 99.9 89.1
Government spending 75 58.4
Fiscal health 0 90.4
Business freedom 75.9 78.2
Labor freedom 55.5 62.4
Monetary freedom 88.8 75.8
Trade freedom 86.8 79.4
Investment freedom 90 60
Financial freedom 80 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Bahrain
Bulgaria
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Bahrain Bulgaria
2026 65.7 68.9
2025 65.6 68.8
2024 63.4 68.5
2023 62.5 69.3
2022 62 71
2021 69.9 70.4
2020 66.3 70.2
2019 66.4 69
2018 67.7 68.3
2017 68.5 67.9
2016 74.3 65.9
2015 73.4 66.8
2014 75.1 65.7
2013 75.5 65
2012 75.2 64.7
2011 77.7 64.9
2010 76.3 62.3
2009 74.8 64.6
2008 72.2 63.7
2007 71.2 62.7
2006 71.6 64.1
2005 71.2 62.3
2004 75.1 59.2
2003 76.3 57
2002 75.6 57.1
2001 75.9 51.9
2000 75.7 47.3
1999 75.2 46.2
1998 75.6 45.7
1997 76.1 47.6
1996 76.4 48.6
1995 76.2 50

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Bahrain is 65.7, ranking 63/197, 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

Bahrain Bulgaria
Services, % of GDP
54.3%
2025
63.3%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
41.2%
2025
21.2%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
0.24%
2025
2.47%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$46.1B
2025
$114B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$65,500
2025
$42,170
2025
Total reserves including gold
$5.27B
2025
$47.1B
2025
Total reserves ranking
101/177
2025
51/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$2.43B
2024
-$3.37B
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$2.7B
2024
$3.05B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$275M
2024
$1.21B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
6.8%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines n/a
21.7%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
28.4%
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/bahrain/bulgaria | CC BY

Compare countries by 7 more topics

Help us show the world through your eyes

Share a photo of your city and help others discover what it looks like to live there. Your contribution makes our data come alive.

Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1970–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, 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 (2021–2025, 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.