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Economy of Bulgaria vs Czech Republic compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Bulgaria has a GDP of $113B compared to $347B for the Czech Republic, ranking 67/197 and 44/197 by economy size, respectively.

Bulgaria has $27.3B in government debt (24.1% of GDP), compared to $150B (43.3% of GDP) in the Czech Republic.

Bulgaria vs Czech Republic GDP by year

Bulgaria
Czech Republic
1x
Year GDP, current $
Bulgaria Czech Republic
2024 $113,343,355,780 $347,034,062,928
2023 $102,199,231,385 $345,059,295,660
2022 $90,506,153,294 $301,831,228,326
2021 $84,374,613,233 $290,972,714,482
2020 $70,486,877,546 $251,109,660,603
2019 $68,507,731,354 $256,794,209,029
2018 $66,097,226,262 $251,992,360,762
2017 $59,167,647,388 $221,563,575,696
2016 $53,929,397,039 $198,160,659,304
2015 $50,765,918,159 $189,107,698,562
2014 $57,080,897,012 $210,911,285,078
2013 $55,819,262,375 $213,024,360,541
2012 $54,297,052,002 $210,363,223,088
2011 $57,681,293,007 $231,429,378,717
2010 $50,689,051,382 $211,168,667,286
2009 $52,023,801,230 $206,971,882,705
2008 $54,480,684,188 $236,506,264,754
2007 $44,431,257,129 $190,040,702,287
2006 $34,380,536,496 $156,236,258,387
2005 $29,868,657,858 $137,264,185,596
2004 $26,157,743,369 $120,147,899,984
2003 $21,144,957,990 $100,435,924,705
2002 $16,403,043,850 $82,607,869,610
2001 $14,183,446,026 $68,135,304,464
2000 $13,245,990,274 $62,175,642,238
1999 $13,637,098,579 $65,586,562,605
1998 $15,031,055,047 $67,187,217,328
1997 $11,316,127,379 $62,539,765,163
1996 $12,294,964,838 $67,804,105,330
1995 $18,991,484,420 $60,572,381,311
1994 $9,709,240,034 $48,188,478,339
1993 $10,832,064,942 $41,155,654,032
1992 $8,602,887,623 $35,051,065,440
1991 $7,628,738,475 $30,071,014,282
1990 $20,632,090,909 $41,016,881,802
1989 $21,988,444,444 -
1988 $22,555,941,176 -
1987 $28,101,000,000 -
1986 $20,249,294,118 -
1985 $17,155,421,053 -
1984 $17,594,944,444 -
1983 $16,563,666,667 -
1982 $19,342,000,000 -
1981 $19,870,000,000 -
1980 $19,839,230,769 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1980–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/bulgaria/czech-republic | CC BY

GDP per capita in Bulgaria vs Czech Republic by year

Bulgaria
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Czech Republic
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Bulgaria Czech Republic
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $17,596 $41,969 $31,823 $57,285
2023 $15,853 $38,829 $31,762 $55,761
2022 $13,999 $36,320 $28,282 $52,947
2021 $12,966 $30,959 $27,696 $47,796
2020 $10,760 $27,352 $23,473 $44,839
2019 $10,354 $26,766 $24,063 $45,614
2018 $9,849 $23,998 $23,706 $41,638
2017 $8,697 $22,317 $20,913 $39,346
2016 $7,822 $20,746 $18,754 $36,445
2015 $7,269 $18,896 $17,932 $34,093
2014 $8,070 $17,991 $20,038 $32,743
2013 $7,796 $16,894 $20,260 $31,013
2012 $7,432 $16,327 $20,014 $29,466
2011 $7,850 $15,747 $22,049 $29,237
2010 $6,854 $14,954 $20,160 $28,154
2009 $6,988 $14,188 $19,817 $27,713
2008 $7,271 $14,347 $22,775 $27,938
2007 $5,889 $12,822 $18,453 $26,268
2006 $4,523 $11,406 $15,259 $23,914
2005 $3,900 $10,291 $13,442 $22,115
2004 $3,390 $9,200 $11,783 $20,988
2003 $2,719 $8,416 $9,852 $19,604
2002 $2,093 $7,786 $8,101 $18,344
2001 $1,771 $6,960 $6,669 $17,709
2000 $1,621 $6,424 $6,063 $16,332
1999 $1,661 $5,808 $6,378 $15,494
1998 $1,820 $6,178 $6,527 $15,064
1997 $1,361 $5,751 $6,069 $14,911
1996 $1,470 $6,849 $6,573 $14,781
1995 $2,259 $7,743 $5,865 $13,957
1994 $1,150 $7,338 $4,663 $12,862
1993 $1,279 $7,032 $3,984 $12,242
1992 $1,007 $6,917 $3,397 $11,963
1991 $884 $7,215 $2,917 $11,768
1990 $2,367 $7,548 $3,969 $12,848
1989 $2,477 - - -
1988 $2,511 - - -
1987 $3,132 - - -
1986 $2,260 - - -
1985 $1,915 - - -
1984 $1,964 - - -
1983 $1,853 - - -
1982 $2,169 - - -
1981 $2,235 - - -
1980 $2,239 - - -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1980–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/bulgaria/czech-republic | CC BY

Bulgaria's GDP per capita is $17,596, ranking 64/197, compared to $31,823 in the Czech Republic, ranking 39/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Bulgaria ranks 54th at $41,969, while the Czech Republic ranks 35th at $57,285.

Economic indicators

Bulgaria Czech Republic
Gross domestic product
$113B
2024
$347B
2024
GDP rank
67/197
2024
44/197
2024
GDP growth
3.39%
2023-2024
1.23%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$17,596
2024
$31,823
2024
GDP per capita rank
64/197
2024
39/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$41,969
2024
$57,285
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
54/197
2024
35/197
2024
Government debt
$27.3B
2024
$150B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
24.1%
2024
43.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$4,237
2024
$13,792
2024
Government debt per person rank
90/185
2024
43/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$14,263
2026
$22,139
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$8.41B
2024
$34.6B
2024
Number of billionaires
2
2025
11
2025
Income share by richest 10%
31.1%
2023
21.5%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
2.1%
2023
3.8%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
36.7%
2024
42.8%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.6%
2023-2024
2.44%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
1.81%
2025
3.5%
2025
Unemployment rate
4.17%
2024
2.6%
2024
Population
6359449
10649126

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Bulgaria
Spending

Debt
Czech Republic
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Bulgaria Czech Republic
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 36.7% 24.1% 42.8% 43.3%
2023 37.4% 22.9% 43.7% 42.2%
2022 37.6% 22.5% 43% 42.5%
2021 38.4% 23.8% 45% 40.7%
2020 37.6% 22.7% 46.3% 36.9%
2019 36% 18.4% 40.4% 29.6%
2018 34.4% 20.1% 40.1% 31.7%
2017 32% 22.9% 38.5% 33.8%
2016 32.7% 27% 39.4% 36.2%
2015 37.3% 25.4% 41.7% 39.5%
2014 37.1% 26.3% 42.3% 41.5%
2013 35.5% 17.2% 42.4% 44.1%
2012 32.5% 16.5% 44.4% 43.8%
2011 32% 14.3% 42.8% 39.4%
2010 34.6% 14.1% 43.2% 36.7%
2009 33.8% 14.5% 44.5% 33.4%
2008 33.5% 14.7% 40.9% 28.2%
2007 33.1% 17.6% 40.5% 27.3%
2006 32.5% 22.6% 41.5% 27.6%
2005 34% 28.5% 42.3% 27.7%
2004 34.6% 37.8% 42.2% 28.3%
2003 35.8% 45.4% 49% 28.1%
2002 35.1% 53.4% 44.4% 25.7%
2001 36.5% 67.1% 43.1% 22.6%
2000 37.1% 73.3% 40.6% 16.9%
1999 36.2% 78.7% 40.9% 15.1%
1998 30.6% 67.3% 41.6% 13.9%
1997 32.9% 88.4% 41.3% 12.1%
1996 44% 113.8% 41.4% 11.5%
1995 45.4% 72% 52.8% 13.5%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1995–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1995–1997, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/bulgaria/czech-republic | CC BY

In 2024, Bulgaria's government spending was $41.5B, accounting for 36.7% of its GDP, while the Czech Republic spent $148B, or 42.8% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 24.1% in Bulgaria and 43.3% in the Czech Republic, ranking 169/185 and 124/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Bulgaria

Czech Republic
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Bulgaria Czech Republic
2024 -3.04% -1.99%
2023 -3.03% -3.73%
2022 -0.8% -3.07%
2021 -2.8% -4.95%
2020 -2.92% -5.65%
2019 -0.96% 0.28%
2018 0.12% 0.88%
2017 0.82% 1.46%
2016 1.54% 0.68%
2015 -2.77% -0.67%
2014 -3.65% -2.09%
2013 -1.75% -1.3%
2012 -0.43% -3.92%
2011 -1.83% -2.71%
2010 -3.77% -4.14%
2009 -0.86% -5.46%
2008 2.73% -2%
2007 3.09% -0.68%
2006 3.22% -2.19%
2005 2.19% -3.06%
2004 1.59% -2.4%
2003 0.003% -6.87%
2002 -0.61% -6.34%
2001 -0.58% -5.76%
2000 -0.6% -3.55%
1999 0.15% -3.08%
1998 1.08% -4.14%
1997 0.83% -3.14%
1996 -10.1% -2.98%
1995 -7.98% -12.3%
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 (1995–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1924–1997, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/bulgaria/czech-republic | 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 Czech Republic's deficit of $6.92B, or 1.99% of GDP.

Over the past 30 years, Bulgaria recorded a fiscal deficit in 18 of those years, while the Czech Republic ran a deficit in 26 years. On average, Bulgaria posted an annual deficit equal to 1.04% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.16% of GDP for the Czech Republic.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Bulgaria

Czech Republic
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Bulgaria Czech Republic
2024 2.6% 2.44%
2023 8.6% 10.7%
2022 13% 15.1%
2021 2.8% 3.84%
2020 1.2% 3.16%
2019 2.5% 2.85%
2018 2.6% 2.15%
2017 1.2% 2.45%
2016 -1.3% 0.68%
2015 -1.1% 0.31%
2014 -1.6% 0.34%
2013 0.4% 1.44%
2012 2.4% 3.29%
2011 3.4% 1.92%
2010 3% 1.47%
2009 2.5% 1.02%
2008 12% 6.36%
2007 7.6% 2.85%
2006 7.4% 2.53%
2005 6% 1.86%
2004 6.1% 2.76%
2003 2.3% 0.12%
2002 5.8% 1.9%
2001 7.4% 4.66%
2000 10.3% 3.78%
1999 2.6% 2.14%
1998 18.7% 10.7%
1997 1,061% 8.6%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/bulgaria/czech-republic | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Bulgaria has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 42.5%, compared with 3.62% in the Czech Republic. In 2024, inflation was 2.6% in Bulgaria and 2.44% in the Czech Republic.

Top exports between countries

Bulgaria
Export category Export value
Miscellaneous $443M
Machinery & equipment $395M
Metals $166M
Textiles & consumer goods $103M
Chemicals & pharma $97.4M
Transport & tourism services $84.4M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $53.7M
Raw materials & minerals $39M
Raw agricultural goods $25.2M
Business & finance services $8.01M
Czech Republic
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $993M
Transport & tourism services $159M
Chemicals & pharma $132M
Textiles & consumer goods $96.5M
Metals $96.3M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $84.9M
Business & finance services $76M
IT & IP services $41M
Animal & marine products $38.6M
Wood & paper products $26.5M

Balance of trade

Bulgaria Czech Republic
Current account balance
-$1.74B
2024
$6.05B
2024
Current account balance ranking
138/190
2024
31/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-1.54%
2024
+1.74%
2024
Goods imports
$52.8B
2024
$179B
2024
Goods exports
$47.3B
2024
$197B
2024
Service imports
$8.26B
2024
$38B
2024
Service exports
$16.6B
2024
$42.5B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
53.9%
2024
62.6%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
56.4%
2024
68.9%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Bulgaria Czech Republic
Economic freedom 68.9 73.2
Economic freedom ranking 44/197 25/197
Property rights 75.8 89.8
Government integrity 48.4 64.7
Judicial effectiveness 58.5 92.1
Tax burden 89.1 78.8
Government spending 58.4 44.2
Fiscal health 90.4 82.5
Business freedom 78.2 76.8
Labor freedom 62.4 55.1
Monetary freedom 75.8 75
Trade freedom 79.4 79.4
Investment freedom 60 70
Financial freedom 50 70

Economic freedom comparison by year

Bulgaria
Czech Republic
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Bulgaria Czech Republic
2026 68.9 73.2
2025 68.8 72.9
2024 68.5 70.2
2023 69.3 71.9
2022 71 74.4
2021 70.4 73.8
2020 70.2 74.8
2019 69 73.7
2018 68.3 74.2
2017 67.9 73.3
2016 65.9 73.2
2015 66.8 72.5
2014 65.7 72.2
2013 65 70.9
2012 64.7 69.9
2011 64.9 70.4
2010 62.3 69.8
2009 64.6 69.4
2008 63.7 68.1
2007 62.7 67.4
2006 64.1 66.4
2005 62.3 64.6
2004 59.2 67
2003 57 67.5
2002 57.1 66.5
2001 51.9 70.2
2000 47.3 68.6
1999 46.2 69.7
1998 45.7 68.4
1997 47.6 68.8
1996 48.6 68.1
1995 50 67.8

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

GeoRank.org/economy/bulgaria/czech-republic | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Bulgaria is 68.9, ranking 44/197, compared to 73.2 for the Czech Republic, ranking 25/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Bulgaria Czech Republic
Services, % of GDP
63.8%
2024
60.2%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
21.1%
2024
29.2%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
2.35%
2024
1.9%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$99B
2024
$322B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$39,850
2024
$54,800
2024
Total reserves including gold
$43.7B
2024
$146B
2024
Total reserves ranking
47/177
2024
22/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$2.22B
2024
-$1.87B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$3.55B
2024
$13.1B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$1.13B
2024
$11.2B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
6.8%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
21.7%
2023
10.2%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
20.4%
2024
26.3%
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/czech-republic | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1980–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1995–2024, 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 (2023–2024, 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.