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Economy of Bulgaria vs Congo compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Bulgaria has a GDP of $113B compared to $15.7B for the Congo, ranking 67/197 and 141/197 by economy size, respectively.

Bulgaria has $27.3B in government debt (24.1% of GDP), compared to $15.4B (98% of GDP) in the Congo.

Bulgaria vs Congo GDP by year

Bulgaria
Congo
1x
Year GDP, current $
Bulgaria Congo
2024 $113,343,355,780 $15,719,986,077
2023 $102,199,231,385 $15,321,055,823
2022 $90,506,153,294 $15,817,030,155
2021 $84,374,613,233 $14,825,690,211
2020 $70,486,877,546 $11,468,687,464
2019 $68,507,731,354 $13,976,637,780
2018 $66,097,226,262 $14,773,900,289
2017 $59,167,647,388 $11,834,473,039
2016 $53,929,397,039 $10,931,328,151
2015 $50,765,918,159 $12,434,793,867
2014 $57,080,897,012 $17,919,321,078
2013 $55,819,262,375 $17,958,720,699
2012 $54,297,052,002 $17,692,911,296
2011 $57,681,293,007 $15,655,383,577
2010 $50,689,051,382 $13,148,396,212
2009 $52,023,801,230 $9,723,299,915
2008 $54,480,684,188 $11,649,857,673
2007 $44,431,257,129 $8,782,703,437
2006 $34,380,536,496 $8,072,305,029
2005 $29,868,657,858 $6,650,001,680
2004 $26,157,743,369 $4,656,974,940
2003 $21,144,957,990 $3,503,723,088
2002 $16,403,043,850 $3,034,250,924
2001 $14,183,446,026 $2,796,704,604
2000 $13,245,990,274 $3,227,927,698
1999 $13,637,098,579 $2,354,772,960
1998 $15,031,055,047 $1,949,481,379
1997 $11,316,127,379 $2,322,719,103
1996 $12,294,964,838 $2,540,697,539
1995 $18,991,484,420 $2,116,003,868
1994 $9,709,240,034 $1,769,365,438
1993 $10,832,064,942 $2,684,323,623
1992 $8,602,887,623 $2,933,222,703
1991 $7,628,738,475 $2,724,853,506
1990 $20,632,090,909 $2,798,746,050
1989 $21,988,444,444 $2,389,593,026
1988 $22,555,941,176 $2,212,536,312
1987 $28,101,000,000 $2,297,753,652
1986 $20,249,294,118 $1,849,268,212
1985 $17,155,421,053 $2,160,872,540
1984 $17,594,944,444 $2,193,581,365
1983 $16,563,666,667 $2,097,274,290
1982 $19,342,000,000 $2,160,640,565
1981 $19,870,000,000 $1,993,512,323
1980 $19,839,230,769 $1,705,796,853
1979 - $1,198,749,667
1978 - $878,771,772
1977 - $765,224,029
1976 - $754,549,601
1975 - $767,102,680
1974 - $585,364,634
1973 - $541,973,363
1972 - $410,669,264
1971 - $322,128,019
1970 - $274,960,700
1969 - $265,040,036
1968 - $251,247,458
1967 - $237,397,428
1966 - $220,613,582
1965 - $198,318,064
1964 - $185,693,725
1963 - $172,233,431
1962 - $166,521,240
1961 - $151,675,739
1960 - $131,731,863

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

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

GDP per capita in Bulgaria vs Congo by year

Bulgaria
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Congo
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Bulgaria Congo
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $17,596 $41,969 $2,482 $7,026
2023 $15,853 $38,829 $2,478 $6,850
2022 $13,999 $36,320 $2,621 $6,647
2021 $12,966 $30,959 $2,516 $6,263
2020 $10,760 $27,352 $1,994 $4,771
2019 $10,354 $26,766 $2,488 $5,720
2018 $9,849 $23,998 $2,694 $5,593
2017 $8,697 $22,317 $2,212 $4,445
2016 $7,822 $20,746 $2,093 $4,016
2015 $7,269 $18,896 $2,439 $4,715
2014 $8,070 $17,991 $3,601 $5,733
2013 $7,796 $16,894 $3,697 $5,834
2012 $7,432 $16,327 $3,732 $6,058
2011 $7,850 $15,747 $3,396 $5,175
2010 $6,854 $14,954 $2,947 $5,125
2009 $6,988 $14,188 $2,271 $4,801
2008 $7,271 $14,347 $2,832 $4,448
2007 $5,889 $12,822 $2,206 $4,243
2006 $4,523 $11,406 $2,104 $4,588
2005 $3,900 $10,291 $1,799 $4,279
2004 $3,390 $9,200 $1,306 $3,992
2003 $2,719 $8,416 $1,017 $3,887
2002 $2,093 $7,786 $906 $3,888
2001 $1,771 $6,960 $855 $3,748
2000 $1,621 $6,424 $1,024 $3,667
1999 $1,661 $5,808 $776 $3,464
1998 $1,820 $6,178 $660 $3,602
1997 $1,361 $5,751 $804 $3,510
1996 $1,470 $6,849 $899 $3,547
1995 $2,259 $7,743 $770 $3,434
1994 $1,150 $7,338 $662 $3,327
1993 $1,279 $7,032 $1,034 $3,550
1992 $1,007 $6,917 $1,164 $3,608
1991 $884 $7,215 $1,113 $3,536
1990 $2,367 $7,548 $1,176 $3,437
1989 $2,477 - $1,033 -
1988 $2,511 - $984 -
1987 $3,132 - $1,052 -
1986 $2,260 - $872 -
1985 $1,915 - $1,049 -
1984 $1,964 - $1,097 -
1983 $1,853 - $1,075 -
1982 $2,169 - $1,131 -
1981 $2,235 - $1,066 -
1980 $2,239 - $933 -
1979 - - $670 -
1978 - - $503 -
1977 - - $448 -
1976 - - $453 -
1975 - - $471 -
1974 - - $370 -
1973 - - $353 -
1972 - - $276.3 -
1971 - - $223.5 -
1970 - - $196.7 -
1969 - - $195.4 -
1968 - - $190.8 -
1967 - - $185.7 -
1966 - - $177.6 -
1965 - - $164.2 -
1964 - - $158.1 -
1963 - - $150.7 -
1962 - - $149.6 -
1961 - - $139.9 -
1960 - - $124.7 -

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

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

Bulgaria's GDP per capita is $17,596, ranking 64/197, compared to $2,482 in the Congo, ranking 149/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Bulgaria ranks 54th at $41,969, while the Congo ranks 148th at $7,026.

Economic indicators

Bulgaria Congo
Gross domestic product
$113B
2024
$15.7B
2024
GDP rank
67/197
2024
141/197
2024
GDP growth
3.39%
2023-2024
2.58%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$17,596
2024
$2,482
2024
GDP per capita rank
64/197
2024
149/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$41,969
2024
$7,026
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
54/197
2024
148/197
2024
Government debt
$27.3B
2024
$15.4B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
24.1%
2024
98%
2024
Government debt per person
$4,237
2024
$2,433
2024
Government debt per person rank
90/185
2024
112/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$14,263
2026
$2,153
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$8.41B
2024
n/a
Number of billionaires
2
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
31.1%
2023
37.9%
2011
Income share by poorest 10%
2.1%
2023
1.6%
2011
Government expenditure, % of GDP
36.7%
2024
21.7%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.6%
2023-2024
3.1%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
1.81%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
4.17%
2024
10%
2012
Population
6359449
6681829

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Bulgaria
Spending

Debt
Congo
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Bulgaria Congo
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 36.7% 24.1% 21.7% 98%
2023 37.4% 22.9% 20.7% 102.9%
2022 37.6% 22.5% 22.8% 93.5%
2021 38.4% 23.8% 20.9% 97.8%
2020 37.6% 22.7% 21.1% 102.5%
2019 36% 18.4% 20.2% 77.6%
2018 34.4% 20.1% 17.8% 71.2%
2017 32% 22.9% 26.6% 88.5%
2016 32.7% 27% 38.8% 84.6%
2015 37.3% 25.4% 41.3% 74.2%
2014 37.1% 26.3% 48.6% 42.3%
2013 35.5% 17.2% 42.4% 33.9%
2012 32.5% 16.5% 30.7% 30.2%
2011 32% 14.3% 27.9% 34.4%
2010 34.6% 14.1% 23% 43.5%
2009 33.8% 14.5% 24.4% 83.8%
2008 33.5% 14.7% 24.2% 69.6%
2007 33.1% 17.6% 28.6% 93.8%
2006 32.5% 22.6% 26.6% 94.7%
2005 34% 28.5% 22.1% 99.8%
2004 34.6% 37.8% 24.4% 122.6%
2003 35.8% 45.4% 27% 185.3%
2002 35.1% 53.4% 32.1% 163.5%
2001 36.5% 67.1% 29.1% 180.1%
2000 37.1% 73.3% 22.6% 145%
1999 36.2% 78.7% 28.8% 0%
1998 30.6% 67.3% 25.1% 0%
1997 32.9% 88.4% 22.2% 0%
1996 44% 113.8% 15.7% 0%
1995 45.4% 72% 27.6% 0%
1994 - - 30.7% 0%
1993 - - 32.8% 0%
1992 - - 32.8% 0%
1991 - - 34.1% 0%
1990 - - 30.4% 0%
1989 - - 20.3% 151.7%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1989–1997, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Bulgaria's government spending was $41.5B, accounting for 36.7% of its GDP, while the Congo spent $3.4B, or 21.7% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 24.1% in Bulgaria and 98% in the Congo, ranking 169/185 and 25/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Bulgaria

Congo
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Bulgaria Congo
2024 -3.04% 3.62%
2023 -3.03% 5.81%
2022 -0.8% 8.94%
2021 -2.8% 1.63%
2020 -2.92% -1.1%
2019 -0.96% 4.3%
2018 0.12% 5.22%
2017 0.82% -5.57%
2016 1.54% -14.5%
2015 -2.77% -17.8%
2014 -3.65% -10.7%
2013 -1.75% -2.85%
2012 -0.43% 7.24%
2011 -1.83% 16.1%
2010 -3.77% 15.5%
2009 -0.86% 4.76%
2008 2.73% 23.9%
2007 3.09% 8.99%
2006 3.22% 16%
2005 2.19% 13.4%
2004 1.59% 3.33%
2003 0.003% 0.37%
2002 -0.61% -7.34%
2001 -0.58% -0.71%
2000 -0.6% 1.05%
1999 0.15% -4.75%
1998 1.08% -5.16%
1997 0.83% 3.67%
1996 -10.1% 9.2%
1995 -7.98% -6.38%
1994 - -10.6%
1993 - -11.3%
1992 - -12.7%
1991 - -11.2%
1990 - -4.1%
1989 - 0.78%
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 (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1924–1997, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Bulgaria's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $3.44B, equivalent to 3.04% of GDP. This compares to the Congo's surplus of $568M, or 3.62% of GDP.

Over the past 30 years, Bulgaria recorded a fiscal deficit in 18 of those years, while the Congo ran a deficit in 11 years. On average, Bulgaria posted an annual deficit equal to 1.04% of GDP, compared to surplus of 2.53% of GDP for the Congo.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Bulgaria

Congo
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Bulgaria Congo
2024 2.6% 3.1%
2023 8.6% 4.3%
2022 13% 3%
2021 2.8% 2%
2020 1.2% 1.4%
2019 2.5% 0.4%
2018 2.6% 1.2%
2017 1.2% 0.4%
2016 -1.3% 3.2%
2015 -1.1% 3.2%
2014 -1.6% 0.9%
2013 0.4% 4.6%
2012 2.4% 5%
2011 3.4% 1.8%
2010 3% 0.4%
2009 2.5% 4.3%
2008 12% 6%
2007 7.6% 2.6%
2006 7.4% 4.7%
2005 6% 2.5%
2004 6.1% 3.7%
2003 2.3% 1.7%
2002 5.8% 3%
2001 7.4% 0.8%
2000 10.3% 0.5%
1999 2.6% 3%
1998 18.7% 2.2%
1997 1,061% 12.7%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Bulgaria has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 42.5%, compared with 2.95% in the Congo. In 2024, inflation was 2.6% in Bulgaria and 3.1% in the Congo.

Top exports between countries

Bulgaria
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $449K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $263K
Metals $149K
Raw materials & minerals $132K
Chemicals & pharma $47K
Raw agricultural goods $36K
Machinery & equipment $34K
Miscellaneous $20K
Wood & paper products $3K
Congo
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $39K
Wood & paper products $15K
Metals $2K
Miscellaneous $2K

Balance of trade

Bulgaria Congo
Current account balance
-$1.74B
2024
$1.72B
2021
Current account balance ranking
138/190
2024
48/190
2021
Current account balance, % of GDP
-1.54%
2024
+11.6%
2021
Goods imports
$52.8B
2024
$2.78B
2021
Goods exports
$47.3B
2024
$7.51B
2021
Service imports
$8.26B
2024
$1.71B
2021
Service exports
$16.6B
2024
$240M
2021
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
53.9%
2024
40.4%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
56.4%
2024
52.8%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Bulgaria Congo
Economic freedom 68.9 48.6
Economic freedom ranking 44/197 169/197
Property rights 75.8 28.7
Government integrity 48.4 13.9
Judicial effectiveness 58.5 15.4
Tax burden 89.1 73.7
Government spending 58.4 85.8
Fiscal health 90.4 80.8
Business freedom 78.2 35.8
Labor freedom 62.4 52.4
Monetary freedom 75.8 78.4
Trade freedom 79.4 52.8
Investment freedom 60 35
Financial freedom 50 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Bulgaria
Congo
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Bulgaria Congo
2026 68.9 48.6
2025 68.8 48.6
2024 68.5 47.8
2023 69.3 48.1
2022 71 48.5
2021 70.4 50.7
2020 70.2 41.8
2019 69 39.7
2018 68.3 38.9
2017 67.9 40
2016 65.9 42.8
2015 66.8 42.7
2014 65.7 43.7
2013 65 43.5
2012 64.7 43.8
2011 64.9 43.6
2010 62.3 43.2
2009 64.6 45.4
2008 63.7 45.3
2007 62.7 44.4
2006 64.1 43.8
2005 62.3 46.2
2004 59.2 45.9
2003 57 47.7
2002 57.1 45.3
2001 51.9 44.3
2000 47.3 40.6
1999 46.2 41.6
1998 45.7 33.8
1997 47.6 42.2
1996 48.6 40.3
1995 50 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Bulgaria is 68.9, ranking 44/197, compared to 48.6 for the Congo, ranking 169/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Bulgaria Congo
Services, % of GDP
63.8%
2024
45%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
21.1%
2024
40.1%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
2.35%
2024
9.44%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$99B
2024
$14.4B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$39,850
2024
$6,340
2024
Total reserves including gold
$43.7B
2024
$715M
2023
Total reserves ranking
47/177
2024
148/177
2023
Net foreign direct investment
-$2.22B
2024
$330M
2021
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$3.55B
2024
$604M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$1.13B
2024
$25.4M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
6.8%
2024
7.67%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
21.7%
2023
40.9%
2011
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
20.4%
2024
26.8%
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/bulgaria/congo | 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 (1990–2024, 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 (1924–1997, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. TradeMap (2020–2024, 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.