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Economy of Belize vs Bulgaria compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Belize has a GDP of $3.2B compared to $113B for Bulgaria, ranking 168/197 and 67/197 by economy size, respectively.

Belize has $2.1B in government debt (65.4% of GDP), compared to $27.3B (24.1% of GDP) in Bulgaria.

Belize vs Bulgaria GDP by year

Belize
Bulgaria
1x
Year GDP, current $
Belize Bulgaria
2024 $3,203,631,800 $113,343,355,780
2023 $3,052,362,650 $102,199,231,385
2022 $2,846,604,350 $90,506,153,294
2021 $2,428,606,250 $84,374,613,233
2020 $2,047,284,600 $70,486,877,546
2019 $2,381,187,850 $68,507,731,354
2018 $2,285,915,050 $66,097,226,262
2017 $2,266,028,250 $59,167,647,388
2016 $2,239,604,950 $53,929,397,039
2015 $2,193,095,150 $50,765,918,159
2014 $2,138,242,200 $57,080,897,012
2013 $2,035,191,450 $55,819,262,375
2012 $1,917,083,500 $54,297,052,002
2011 $1,831,576,700 $57,681,293,007
2010 $1,748,988,400 $50,689,051,382
2009 $1,688,012,750 $52,023,801,230
2008 $1,738,453,600 $54,480,684,188
2007 $1,706,190,450 $44,431,257,129
2006 $1,590,463,100 $34,380,536,496
2005 $1,474,298,400 $29,868,657,858
2004 $1,400,202,000 $26,157,743,369
2003 $1,308,280,250 $21,144,957,990
2002 $1,243,912,050 $16,403,043,850
2001 $1,172,045,150 $14,183,446,026
2000 $1,138,138,100 $13,245,990,274
1999 $999,713,050 $13,637,098,579
1998 $929,047,000 $15,031,055,047
1997 $872,916,050 $11,316,127,379
1996 $850,339,100 $12,294,964,838
1995 $818,590,250 $18,991,484,420
1994 $771,838,000 $9,709,240,034
1993 $752,255,150 $10,832,064,942
1992 $695,741,150 $8,602,887,623
1991 $596,682,100 $7,628,738,475
1990 $546,750,912 $20,632,090,909
1989 $491,100,000 $21,988,444,444
1988 $421,450,000 $22,555,941,176
1987 $371,100,000 $28,101,000,000
1986 $311,500,000 $20,249,294,118
1985 $287,300,000 $17,155,421,053
1984 $290,350,000 $17,594,944,444
1983 $262,150,000 $16,563,666,667
1982 $248,550,000 $19,342,000,000
1981 $260,750,000 $19,870,000,000
1980 $257,400,000 $19,839,230,769
1979 $151,800,000 -
1978 $136,300,000 -
1977 $117,650,000 -
1976 $97,094,227 -
1975 $118,194,026 -
1974 $103,160,450 -
1973 $78,214,768 -
1972 $65,998,069 -
1971 $59,074,687 -
1970 $53,339,893 -
1969 $47,399,905 -
1968 $44,999,910 -
1967 $47,431,256 -
1966 $44,450,044 -
1965 $40,110,040 -
1964 $36,194,586 -
1963 $33,750,114 -
1962 $31,857,592 -
1961 $29,965,000 -
1960 $28,072,478 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

GDP per capita in Belize vs Bulgaria by year

Belize
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Bulgaria
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Belize Bulgaria
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $7,681 $14,347 $17,596 $41,969
2023 $7,425 $13,730 $15,853 $38,829
2022 $7,068 $13,461 $13,999 $36,320
2021 $6,143 $11,716 $12,966 $30,959
2020 $5,239 $9,639 $10,760 $27,352
2019 $6,172 $10,500 $10,354 $26,766
2018 $6,012 $9,497 $9,849 $23,998
2017 $6,072 $9,121 $8,697 $22,317
2016 $6,141 $9,399 $7,822 $20,746
2015 $6,155 $9,538 $7,269 $18,896
2014 $6,128 $9,490 $8,070 $17,991
2013 $5,957 $9,526 $7,796 $16,894
2012 $5,733 $9,303 $7,432 $16,327
2011 $5,596 $9,722 $7,850 $15,747
2010 $5,461 $9,748 $6,854 $14,954
2009 $5,400 $9,728 $6,988 $14,188
2008 $5,712 $9,975 $7,271 $14,347
2007 $5,762 $10,226 $5,889 $12,822
2006 $5,525 $9,910 $4,523 $11,406
2005 $5,270 $9,466 $3,900 $10,291
2004 $5,154 $9,245 $3,390 $9,200
2003 $4,960 $8,850 $2,719 $8,416
2002 $4,859 $8,154 $2,093 $7,786
2001 $4,719 $7,852 $1,771 $6,960
2000 $4,727 $7,544 $1,621 $6,424
1999 $4,290 $6,790 $1,661 $5,808
1998 $4,126 $6,333 $1,820 $6,178
1997 $4,014 $6,243 $1,361 $5,751
1996 $4,043 $6,087 $1,470 $6,849
1995 $4,010 $6,091 $2,259 $7,743
1994 $3,877 $6,073 $1,150 $7,338
1993 $3,860 $6,075 $1,279 $7,032
1992 $3,643 $5,706 $1,007 $6,917
1991 $3,190 $5,053 $884 $7,215
1990 $2,986 $4,467 $2,367 $7,548
1989 $2,742 - $2,477 -
1988 $2,406 - $2,511 -
1987 $2,166 - $3,132 -
1986 $1,859 - $2,260 -
1985 $1,754 - $1,915 -
1984 $1,814 - $1,964 -
1983 $1,677 - $1,853 -
1982 $1,629 - $2,169 -
1981 $1,753 - $2,235 -
1980 $1,774 - $2,239 -
1979 $1,071 - - -
1978 $983 - - -
1977 $866 - - -
1976 $729 - - -
1975 $906 - - -
1974 $805 - - -
1973 $619 - - -
1972 $529 - - -
1971 $481 - - -
1970 $442 - - -
1969 $402 - - -
1968 $392 - - -
1967 $426 - - -
1966 $412 - - -
1965 $383 - - -
1964 $356 - - -
1963 $342 - - -
1962 $332 - - -
1961 $320 - - -
1960 $307 - - -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Belize's GDP per capita is $7,681, ranking 98/197, compared to $17,596 in Bulgaria, ranking 64/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Belize ranks 117th at $14,347, while Bulgaria ranks 54th at $41,969.

Economic indicators

Belize Bulgaria
Gross domestic product
$3.2B
2024
$113B
2024
GDP rank
168/197
2024
67/197
2024
GDP growth
3.5%
2023-2024
3.39%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$7,681
2024
$17,596
2024
GDP per capita rank
98/197
2024
64/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$14,347
2024
$41,969
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
117/197
2024
54/197
2024
Government debt
$2.1B
2024
$27.3B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
65.4%
2024
24.1%
2024
Government debt per person
$5,026
2024
$4,237
2024
Government debt per person rank
78/185
2024
90/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$9,204
2026
$14,263
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$8.41B
2024
Number of billionaires
1
2025
2
2025
Income share by richest 10%
30%
2018
31.1%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
2.2%
2018
2.1%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
26.3%
2024
36.7%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
3.3%
2023-2024
2.6%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
1.81%
2025
Unemployment rate
29.3%
2020
4.17%
2024
Population
430409
6359449

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Belize
Spending

Debt
Bulgaria
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Belize Bulgaria
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 26.3% 65.4% 36.7% 24.1%
2023 25.8% 67.5% 37.4% 22.9%
2022 23.4% 66.8% 37.6% 22.5%
2021 25.7% 82.2% 38.4% 23.8%
2020 33.2% 103% 37.6% 22.7%
2019 27.5% 78.6% 36% 18.4%
2018 26.9% 79% 34.4% 20.1%
2017 27.7% 78.1% 32% 22.9%
2016 27.7% 70.5% 32.7% 27%
2015 27.9% 65.1% 37.3% 25.4%
2014 24.8% 61.5% 37.1% 26.3%
2013 23.8% 62.8% 35.5% 17.2%
2012 22.1% 63.1% 32.5% 16.5%
2011 23.5% 66.2% 32% 14.3%
2010 23.3% 68.4% 34.6% 14.1%
2009 23.2% 69.7% 33.8% 14.5%
2008 21.8% 64.7% 33.5% 14.7%
2007 22.1% 66.4% 33.1% 17.6%
2006 21.2% 71.4% 32.5% 22.6%
2005 21.4% 72.7% 34% 28.5%
2004 21.7% 70.7% 34.6% 37.8%
2003 24.6% 67.2% 35.8% 45.4%
2002 24.4% 53.2% 35.1% 53.4%
2001 25.9% 49.5% 36.5% 67.1%
2000 23.2% 79% 37.1% 73.3%
1999 23.6% 41.5% 36.2% 78.7%
1998 20.9% 38.7% 30.6% 67.3%
1997 19.9% 39.4% 32.9% 88.4%
1996 19.9% 38.4% 44% 113.8%
1995 - - 45.4% 72%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1996–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1995–2000, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Belize's government spending was $842M, accounting for 26.3% of its GDP, while Bulgaria spent $41.5B, or 36.7% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 65.4% in Belize and 24.1% in Bulgaria, ranking 67/185 and 169/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Belize

Bulgaria
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Belize Bulgaria
2024 -1.23% -3.04%
2023 -2.42% -3.03%
2022 -1.04% -0.8%
2021 -3.29% -2.8%
2020 -8.57% -2.92%
2019 -2.9% -0.96%
2018 -1.37% 0.12%
2017 -3.48% 0.82%
2016 -4.47% 1.54%
2015 -5.14% -2.77%
2014 -1.72% -3.65%
2013 -1.21% -1.75%
2012 -0.22% -0.43%
2011 -1.06% -1.83%
2010 -1.9% -3.77%
2009 -2.46% -0.86%
2008 1.25% 2.73%
2007 -0.19% 3.09%
2006 -2.27% 3.22%
2005 -3.7% 2.19%
2004 -4.52% 1.59%
2003 -8.41% 0.003%
2002 -5.41% -0.61%
2001 -7.23% -0.58%
2000 -6.68% -0.6%
1999 -6.51% 0.15%
1998 -2.69% 1.08%
1997 -1.81% 0.83%
1996 -1.76% -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 (1996–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1924–1997, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Belize's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $39.4M, equivalent to 1.23% of GDP. This compares to Bulgaria's deficit of $3.44B, or 3.04% of GDP.

Over the past 29 years, Belize recorded a fiscal deficit in 28 of those years, while Bulgaria ran a deficit in 17 years. On average, Belize posted an annual deficit equal to 3.19% of GDP, compared to deficit of 0.8% of GDP for Bulgaria.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Belize

Bulgaria
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Belize Bulgaria
2024 3.3% 2.6%
2023 4.4% 8.6%
2022 6.3% 13%
2021 3.2% 2.8%
2020 0.1% 1.2%
2019 0.2% 2.5%
2018 0.3% 2.6%
2017 1.1% 1.2%
2016 0.7% -1.3%
2015 -0.9% -1.1%
2014 1.2% -1.6%
2013 0.5% 0.4%
2012 1.2% 2.4%
2011 1.7% 3.4%
2010 0.9% 3%
2009 -1.1% 2.5%
2008 6.4% 12%
2007 2.3% 7.6%
2006 4.2% 7.4%
2005 3.7% 6%
2004 3.1% 6.1%
2003 2.6% 2.3%
2002 2.2% 5.8%
2001 1.1% 7.4%
2000 0.6% 10.3%
1999 -1.2% 2.6%
1998 -0.8% 18.7%
1997 1% 1,061%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

Over the past 28 years, Belize has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 1.73%, compared with 42.5% in Bulgaria. In 2024, inflation was 3.3% in Belize and 2.6% in Bulgaria.

Top exports between countries

Belize
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $420K
Textiles & consumer goods $40K
Machinery & equipment $3K
Bulgaria
Export category Export value
Metals $2.27M
Machinery & equipment $512K
Textiles & consumer goods $353K
Chemicals & pharma $141K
Miscellaneous $20K
Raw materials & minerals $18K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $3K
Wood & paper products $2K
Precious metals & jewellery $1K

Balance of trade

Belize Bulgaria
Current account balance
-$51.7M
2024
-$1.74B
2024
Current account balance ranking
84/190
2024
138/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-1.61%
2024
-1.54%
2024
Goods imports
$1.36B
2024
$52.8B
2024
Goods exports
$482M
2024
$47.3B
2024
Service imports
$362M
2024
$8.26B
2024
Service exports
$1.16B
2024
$16.6B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
53.7%
2024
53.9%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
55.2%
2024
56.4%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Belize Bulgaria
Economic freedom 64.7 68.9
Economic freedom ranking 71/197 44/197
Property rights 46.3 75.8
Government integrity 46.2 48.4
Judicial effectiveness 73.9 58.5
Tax burden 81.8 89.1
Government spending 81 58.4
Fiscal health 87.5 90.4
Business freedom 67.2 78.2
Labor freedom 57.6 62.4
Monetary freedom 72.6 75.8
Trade freedom 57.8 79.4
Investment freedom 55 60
Financial freedom 50 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Belize
Bulgaria
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Belize Bulgaria
2026 64.7 68.9
2025 64.2 68.8
2024 61.2 68.5
2023 59.8 69.3
2022 56.6 71
2021 57.5 70.4
2020 57.4 70.2
2019 55.4 69
2018 57.1 68.3
2017 58.6 67.9
2016 57.4 65.9
2015 56.8 66.8
2014 56.7 65.7
2013 57.3 65
2012 61.9 64.7
2011 63.8 64.9
2010 61.5 62.3
2009 63 64.6
2008 63 63.7
2007 63.3 62.7
2006 64.7 64.1
2005 64.5 62.3
2004 62.8 59.2
2003 63.5 57
2002 65.6 57.1
2001 65.9 51.9
2000 63.3 47.3
1999 60.7 46.2
1998 59.1 45.7
1997 64.3 47.6
1996 61.6 48.6
1995 62.9 50

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Belize is 64.7, ranking 71/197, 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

Belize Bulgaria
Services, % of GDP
62.4%
2024
63.8%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
14.6%
2024
21.1%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
7.95%
2024
2.35%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$2.98B
2024
$99B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$13,760
2024
$39,850
2024
Total reserves including gold
$498M
2024
$43.7B
2024
Total reserves ranking
156/177
2024
47/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$126M
2024
-$2.22B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$128M
2024
$3.55B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$2.61M
2024
$1.13B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
4.15%
2024
6.8%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
52%
2018
21.7%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
19.8%
2024
20.4%
2024

GDP per capita map

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08).

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

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1996–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  4. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1924–2000, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. TradeMap (2021–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)

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.