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Economy of Bulgaria vs East Timor compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Bulgaria has a GDP of $113B compared to $1.87B for East Timor, ranking 67/197 and 181/197 by economy size, respectively.

Bulgaria has $27.3B in government debt (24.1% of GDP), compared to $249M (13.3% of GDP) in East Timor.

Bulgaria vs East Timor GDP by year

Bulgaria
East Timor
1x
Year GDP, current $
Bulgaria East Timor
2024 $113,343,355,780 $1,865,608,515
2023 $102,199,231,385 $2,079,767,170
2022 $90,506,153,294 $3,208,599,889
2021 $84,374,613,233 $3,625,024,341
2020 $70,486,877,546 $2,162,619,241
2019 $68,507,731,354 $2,032,550,389
2018 $66,097,226,262 $1,555,988,614
2017 $59,167,647,388 $1,584,878,440
2016 $53,929,397,039 $1,640,464,612
2015 $50,765,918,159 $1,590,282,371
2014 $57,080,897,012 $1,447,535,183
2013 $55,819,262,375 $1,395,727,421
2012 $54,297,052,002 $1,160,555,040
2011 $57,681,293,007 $1,042,534,598
2010 $50,689,051,382 $881,909,347
2009 $52,023,801,230 $726,937,836
2008 $54,480,684,188 $648,523,571
2007 $44,431,257,129 $542,795,447
2006 $34,380,536,496 $453,792,415
2005 $29,868,657,858 $462,267,954
2004 $26,157,743,369 $440,771,962
2003 $21,144,957,990 $490,439,116
2002 $16,403,043,850 $469,455,491
2001 $14,183,446,026 $477,359,253
2000 $13,245,990,274 $366,924,277
1999 $13,637,098,579 $225,357,600
1998 $15,031,055,047 $325,729,800
1997 $11,316,127,379 $319,972,700
1996 $12,294,964,838 $306,956,900
1995 $18,991,484,420 $262,819,900
1994 $9,709,240,034 $239,040,500
1993 $10,832,064,942 $216,914,400
1992 $8,602,887,623 $187,891,500
1991 $7,628,738,475 $147,713,000
1990 $20,632,090,909 $128,210,142
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/east-timor | CC BY

GDP per capita in Bulgaria vs East Timor by year

Bulgaria
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
East Timor
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Bulgaria East Timor
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $17,596 $41,969 $1,332 $4,423
2023 $15,853 $38,829 $1,502 $4,807
2022 $13,999 $36,320 $2,343 $5,730
2021 $12,966 $30,959 $2,685 $6,825
2020 $10,760 $27,352 $1,631 $6,132
2019 $10,354 $26,766 $1,562 $4,557
2018 $9,849 $23,998 $1,219 $3,561
2017 $8,697 $22,317 $1,266 $3,463
2016 $7,822 $20,746 $1,336 $3,391
2015 $7,269 $18,896 $1,320 $3,108
2014 $8,070 $17,991 $1,225 $2,860
2013 $7,796 $16,894 $1,205 $2,566
2012 $7,432 $16,327 $1,023 $2,386
2011 $7,850 $15,747 $939 $2,066
2010 $6,854 $14,954 $813 $1,955
2009 $6,988 $14,188 $687 $1,810
2008 $7,271 $14,347 $628 $1,675
2007 $5,889 $12,822 $540 $1,516
2006 $4,523 $11,406 $465 $1,377
2005 $3,900 $10,291 $487 $1,435
2004 $3,390 $9,200 $474 $1,379
2003 $2,719 $8,416 $535 $1,355
2002 $2,093 $7,786 $534 $1,417
2001 $1,771 $6,960 $588 $1,619
2000 $1,621 $6,424 $492 $1,483
1999 $1,661 $5,808 $270 $819
1998 $1,820 $6,178 $346 $1,108
1997 $1,361 $5,751 $349 $1,149
1996 $1,470 $6,849 $344 $1,116
1995 $2,259 $7,743 $303 $1,043
1994 $1,150 $7,338 $283.1 $985
1993 $1,279 $7,032 $264.1 $925
1992 $1,007 $6,917 $235.1 $843
1991 $884 $7,215 $189.8 $766
1990 $2,367 $7,548 $168.6 $685
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/east-timor | CC BY

Bulgaria's GDP per capita is $17,596, ranking 64/197, compared to $1,332 in East Timor, ranking 167/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Bulgaria ranks 54th at $41,969, while East Timor ranks 163rd at $4,423.

Economic indicators

Bulgaria East Timor
Gross domestic product
$113B
2024
$1.87B
2024
GDP rank
67/197
2024
181/197
2024
GDP growth
3.39%
2023-2024
-9.1%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$17,596
2024
$1,332
2024
GDP per capita rank
64/197
2024
167/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$41,969
2024
$4,423
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
54/197
2024
163/197
2024
Government debt
$27.3B
2024
$249M
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
24.1%
2024
13.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$4,237
2024
$177.5
2024
Government debt per person rank
90/185
2024
182/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$14,263
2026
$1,440
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
24%
2014
Income share by poorest 10%
2.1%
2023
4%
2014
Government expenditure, % of GDP
36.7%
2024
90.8%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.6%
2023-2024
2.1%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
1.81%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
4.17%
2024
1.54%
2022
Population
6359449
1441764

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Bulgaria
Spending

Debt
East Timor
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Bulgaria East Timor
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 36.7% 24.1% 90.8% 13.3%
2023 37.4% 22.9% 78.6% 12.4%
2022 37.6% 22.5% 59.9% 7.9%
2021 38.4% 23.8% 45.7% 6.53%
2020 37.6% 22.7% 61.7% 10.1%
2019 36% 18.4% 68.8% 9.51%
2018 34.4% 20.1% 85.5% 9.31%
2017 32% 22.9% 87.3% 6.71%
2016 32.7% 27% 112.2% 4.71%
2015 37.3% 25.4% 98.1% 2.95%
2014 37.1% 26.3% 111% 1.52%
2013 35.5% 17.2% 96.1% 0.46%
2012 32.5% 16.5% 129.3% 0.002%
2011 32% 14.3% 133.3% 0%
2010 34.6% 14.1% 121.3% 0%
2009 33.8% 14.5% 121.8% 0%
2008 33.5% 14.7% 122.4% 0%
2007 33.1% 17.6% 75.8% 0%
2006 32.5% 22.6% 59.8% 0%
2005 34% 28.5% 58.3% 0%
2004 34.6% 37.8% 74.2% 0%
2003 35.8% 45.4% 80.1% 0%
2002 35.1% 53.4% 93.5% 0%
2001 36.5% 67.1% 95.7% 0%
2000 37.1% 73.3% - -
1999 36.2% 78.7% - -
1998 30.6% 67.3% - -
1997 32.9% 88.4% - -
1996 44% 113.8% - -
1995 45.4% 72% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1998–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1995–1997, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/bulgaria/east-timor | CC BY

In 2024, Bulgaria's government spending was $41.5B, accounting for 36.7% of its GDP, while East Timor spent $1.69B, or 90.8% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 24.1% in Bulgaria and 13.3% in East Timor, ranking 169/185 and 178/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Bulgaria

East Timor
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Bulgaria East Timor
2024 -3.04% -43.5%
2023 -3.03% -34.7%
2022 -0.8% -29.5%
2021 -2.8% -20.1%
2020 -2.92% -18.9%
2019 -0.96% -25.4%
2018 0.12% -26.9%
2017 0.82% -33.8%
2016 1.54% -55.7%
2015 -2.77% -33.2%
2014 -3.65% -37.5%
2013 -1.75% -14.4%
2012 -0.43% -38.7%
2011 -1.83% -25.4%
2010 -3.77% -19.8%
2009 -0.86% -17.2%
2008 2.73% -18.6%
2007 3.09% -29.9%
2006 3.22% 41%
2005 2.19% -10.5%
2004 1.59% -7.48%
2003 0.003% -8.24%
2002 -0.61% -7.64%
2001 -0.58% 3.24%
2000 -0.6% -
1999 0.15% -
1998 1.08% -
1997 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 (1998–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1924–1997, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/bulgaria/east-timor | 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 East Timor's deficit of $812M, or 43.5% of GDP.

Over the past 24 years, Bulgaria recorded a fiscal deficit in 15 of those years, while East Timor ran a deficit in 22 years. On average, Bulgaria posted an annual deficit equal to 0.6% of GDP, compared to deficit of 21.4% of GDP for East Timor.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Bulgaria

East Timor
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Bulgaria East Timor
2024 2.6% 2.1%
2023 8.6% 8.4%
2022 13% 7%
2021 2.8% 3.8%
2020 1.2% 0.5%
2019 2.5% 0.9%
2018 2.6% 2.3%
2017 1.2% 0.5%
2016 -1.3% -1.5%
2015 -1.1% 0.6%
2014 -1.6% 0.8%
2013 0.4% 9.5%
2012 2.4% 10.9%
2011 3.4% 13.2%
2010 3% 5.2%
2009 2.5% -0.2%
2008 12% 7.4%
2007 7.6% 8.6%
2006 7.4% 5.2%
2005 6% 1.6%
2004 6.1% 2.2%
2003 2.3% 8%
2002 5.8% 4.1%
2001 7.4% 3.6%
2000 10.3% -
1999 2.6% -
1998 18.7% -
1997 1,061% -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/bulgaria/east-timor | CC BY

Over the past 24 years, Bulgaria has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 4.03%, compared with 4.36% in East Timor. In 2024, inflation was 2.6% in Bulgaria and 2.1% in East Timor.

Top exports between countries

Bulgaria
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $85K
Chemicals & pharma $39K
Textiles & consumer goods $31K
East Timor
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $9K
Textiles & consumer goods $7K

Balance of trade

Bulgaria East Timor
Current account balance
-$1.74B
2024
-$587M
2024
Current account balance ranking
138/190
2024
108/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-1.54%
2024
-31.5%
2024
Goods imports
$52.8B
2024
$839M
2024
Goods exports
$47.3B
2024
$196M
2024
Service imports
$8.26B
2024
$432M
2024
Service exports
$16.6B
2024
$82.1M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
53.9%
2024
84.9%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
56.4%
2024
10.6%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Bulgaria East Timor
Economic freedom 68.9 47.9
Economic freedom ranking 44/197 173/197
Property rights 75.8 43.5
Government integrity 48.4 43.9
Judicial effectiveness 58.5 34.5
Tax burden 89.1 97.1
Government spending 58.4 0
Fiscal health 90.4 19.6
Business freedom 78.2 62.7
Labor freedom 62.4 56.5
Monetary freedom 75.8 72.2
Trade freedom 79.4 79.8
Investment freedom 60 45
Financial freedom 50 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Bulgaria
East Timor
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Bulgaria East Timor
2026 68.9 47.9
2025 68.8 47.9
2024 68.5 50.2
2023 69.3 47.2
2022 71 46.3
2021 70.4 44.7
2020 70.2 45.9
2019 69 44.2
2018 68.3 48.1
2017 67.9 46.3
2016 65.9 45.8
2015 66.8 45.5
2014 65.7 43.2
2013 65 43.7
2012 64.7 43.3
2011 64.9 42.8
2010 62.3 45.8
2009 64.6 50.5
2008 63.7 -
2007 62.7 -
2006 64.1 -
2005 62.3 -
2004 59.2 -
2003 57 -
2002 57.1 -
2001 51.9 -
2000 47.3 -
1999 46.2 -
1998 45.7 -
1997 47.6 -
1996 48.6 -
1995 50 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/bulgaria/east-timor | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Bulgaria is 68.9, ranking 44/197, compared to 47.9 for East Timor, ranking 173/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Bulgaria East Timor
Services, % of GDP
63.8%
2024
71.6%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
21.1%
2024
11.8%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
2.35%
2024
20.2%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$99B
2024
$2.31B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$39,850
2024
$5,040
2024
Total reserves including gold
$43.7B
2024
$737M
2024
Total reserves ranking
47/177
2024
147/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$2.22B
2024
-$211M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$3.55B
2024
$216M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$1.13B
2024
$4.5M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
6.8%
2024
1.23%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
21.7%
2023
41.8%
2014
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
20.4%
2024
30.1%
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/east-timor | 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 (1998–2024, 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.