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Economy of Bulgaria vs Estonia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Bulgaria has a GDP of $131B compared to $47B for Estonia, ranking 63/197 and 101/197 by economy size, respectively.

Bulgaria has $35.4B in government debt (27.1% of GDP), compared to $11.4B (24.2% of GDP) in Estonia.

Bulgaria vs Estonia GDP by year

Bulgaria
Estonia
1x
Year GDP, current $
Bulgaria Estonia
2025 $130,777,235,530 $47,030,833,799
2024 $113,349,149,167 $43,130,419,829
2023 $102,204,457,335 $41,470,344,395
2022 $90,510,784,778 $38,226,641,740
2021 $84,378,926,047 $37,201,101,171
2020 $70,490,478,088 $31,820,771,494
2019 $68,511,235,459 $31,873,748,770
2018 $66,100,606,677 $31,222,632,741
2017 $59,170,671,046 $27,469,461,919
2016 $53,932,152,154 $24,561,027,788
2015 $50,768,512,173 $23,311,847,751
2014 $57,083,817,240 $27,055,689,003
2013 $55,822,115,861 $25,451,032,781
2012 $54,299,825,600 $23,237,406,116
2011 $57,684,243,980 $23,303,915,795
2010 $50,691,645,231 $19,524,355,419
2009 $52,026,461,290 $19,633,984,440
2008 $54,483,464,293 $24,342,935,404
2007 $44,433,521,725 $22,450,264,166
2006 $34,382,295,487 $17,025,671,810
2005 $29,870,182,425 $14,109,491,357
2004 $26,159,078,743 $12,148,595,031
2003 $21,146,038,619 $9,876,595,528
2002 $16,403,880,783 $7,370,119,619
2001 $14,184,170,319 $6,250,218,423
2000 $13,246,669,554 $5,686,579,748
1999 $13,637,793,854 $5,756,912,266
1998 $15,031,821,788 $5,674,080,543
1997 $11,316,706,412 $5,154,420,649
1996 $12,295,588,924 $4,786,018,988
1995 $18,992,388,645 $4,502,970,889
1994 $9,709,230,161 $4,123,011,420
1993 $10,832,041,595 $4,013,091,682
1992 $8,602,874,120 -
1991 $7,628,764,750 -
1990 $20,726,605,649 -
1989 $21,746,286,447 -
1988 $23,003,003,708 -
1987 $28,428,718,531 -
1986 $20,261,546,635 -
1985 $17,562,270,447 -
1984 $17,410,894,971 -
1983 $16,959,180,922 -
1982 $19,803,624,625 -
1981 $20,055,685,481 -
1980 $20,039,544,133 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1980–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

GDP per capita in Bulgaria vs Estonia by year

Bulgaria
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Estonia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Bulgaria Estonia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $20,328 - $34,418 -
2024 $17,597 $41,969 $31,428 $49,969
2023 $15,854 $38,829 $30,264 $48,637
2022 $14,000 $36,320 $28,340 $48,218
2021 $12,967 $30,959 $27,951 $44,252
2020 $10,761 $27,352 $23,934 $40,672
2019 $10,354 $26,766 $24,021 $40,586
2018 $9,850 $23,998 $23,618 $37,121
2017 $8,697 $22,317 $20,852 $34,507
2016 $7,823 $20,746 $18,666 $31,948
2015 $7,269 $18,896 $17,722 $29,713
2014 $8,070 $17,991 $20,582 $29,404
2013 $7,796 $16,894 $19,310 $27,831
2012 $7,432 $16,327 $17,568 $26,243
2011 $7,850 $15,747 $17,556 $24,652
2010 $6,854 $14,954 $14,664 $21,614
2009 $6,989 $14,188 $14,712 $20,489
2008 $7,272 $14,347 $18,206 $22,804
2007 $5,889 $12,822 $16,745 $22,201
2006 $4,523 $11,406 $12,641 $19,344
2005 $3,900 $10,291 $10,415 $16,638
2004 $3,390 $9,200 $8,916 $14,538
2003 $2,720 $8,416 $7,205 $13,135
2002 $2,093 $7,786 $5,343 $11,667
2001 $1,771 $6,960 $4,503 $10,309
2000 $1,621 $6,424 $4,071 $9,425
1999 $1,661 $5,808 $4,141 $8,412
1998 $1,821 $6,178 $4,093 $8,451
1997 $1,361 $5,751 $3,683 $7,980
1996 $1,470 $6,849 $3,381 $6,892
1995 $2,259 $7,743 $3,134 $6,480
1994 $1,150 $7,338 $2,819 $5,967
1993 $1,279 $7,032 $2,686 $5,814
1992 $1,007 $6,917 - $5,872
1991 $884 $7,215 - $7,151
1990 $2,377 $7,548 - $7,481
1989 $2,450 - - -
1988 $2,561 - - -
1987 $3,169 - - -
1986 $2,262 - - -
1985 $1,960 - - -
1984 $1,943 - - -
1983 $1,897 - - -
1982 $2,221 - - -
1981 $2,256 - - -
1980 $2,261 - - -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1980–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Bulgaria's GDP per capita is $20,328, ranking 58/197, compared to $34,418 in Estonia, ranking 37/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Bulgaria ranks 54th at $41,969, while Estonia ranks 45th at $49,969.

Economic indicators

Bulgaria Estonia
Gross domestic product
$131B
2025
$47B
2025
GDP rank
63/197
2025
101/197
2025
GDP growth
3.1%
2024-2025
0.58%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$20,328
2025
$34,418
2025
GDP per capita rank
58/197
2025
37/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$41,969
2024
$49,969
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
54/197
2024
45/197
2024
Government debt
$35.4B
2025
$11.4B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
27.1%
2025
24.2%
2025
Government debt per person
$5,507
2025
$8,325
2025
Government debt per person rank
79/185
2025
67/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$16,126
2026
$23,647
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$11.2B
2025
n/a
Number of billionaires
2
2026
2
2026
Income share by richest 10%
31.1%
2023
23.7%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
2.1%
2023
3.1%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
38.9%
2025
45.2%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
3.5%
2024-2025
4.83%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
1.81%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
3.5%
2025
7.5%
2025
Population
6390149
1347027

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Bulgaria
Spending

Debt
Estonia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Bulgaria Estonia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 38.9% 27.1% 45.2% 24.2%
2024 36.3% 23.8% 43.6% 23.5%
2023 37.5% 22.9% 43.5% 20.2%
2022 37.6% 22.5% 40.1% 19.2%
2021 38.5% 23.9% 42.1% 18.4%
2020 37.7% 22.7% 44.7% 19.1%
2019 36.1% 18.4% 39.1% 9.05%
2018 34.4% 20.1% 38.8% 8.51%
2017 32% 22.9% 38.9% 9.43%
2016 32.7% 27% 38.9% 10.2%
2015 37.3% 25.4% 39.3% 10.8%
2014 37.1% 26.3% 37.6% 11.6%
2013 35.5% 17.2% 38.3% 11.4%
2012 32.5% 16.5% 39.4% 11.1%
2011 32% 14.3% 37.6% 7.6%
2010 34.6% 14.1% 40.7% 7.99%
2009 33.8% 14.5% 46.1% 7.98%
2008 33.5% 14.7% 39.5% 4.67%
2007 33.1% 17.6% 33.8% 3.91%
2006 32.5% 22.6% 33.5% 4.72%
2005 34% 28.5% 33.7% 4.73%
2004 34.6% 37.8% 34.1% 5.16%
2003 35.8% 45.4% 35% 5.6%
2002 35.1% 53.4% 35.9% 5.66%
2001 36.5% 67.1% 35.3% 4.93%
2000 37.1% 73.3% 36.4% 5.11%
1999 36.2% 78.7% 40.7% 5.93%
1998 30.6% 67.3% 38.9% 5.4%
1997 32.9% 88.4% 35.8% 6.03%
1996 44% 113.8% 38.6% 7.3%
1995 45.4% 72% 39.5% 8.66%

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

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

In 2025, Bulgaria's government spending was $50.8B, accounting for 38.9% of its GDP, while Estonia spent $21.3B, or 45.2% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 27.1% in Bulgaria and 24.2% in Estonia, ranking 164/185 and 168/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Bulgaria

Estonia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Bulgaria Estonia
2025 -3.01% -1.33%
2024 -3.01% -1.54%
2023 -3.04% -3.07%
2022 -0.8% -1.08%
2021 -2.8% -2.57%
2020 -2.92% -5.42%
2019 -0.96% -0.11%
2018 0.12% -1.15%
2017 0.82% -1.07%
2016 1.54% -0.62%
2015 -2.77% -0.24%
2014 -3.65% 0.42%
2013 -1.75% -0.66%
2012 -0.43% -0.86%
2011 -1.83% 0.09%
2010 -3.77% -1.09%
2009 -0.86% -3.43%
2008 2.73% -2.92%
2007 3.09% 2.5%
2006 3.22% 2.71%
2005 2.19% 1.07%
2004 1.59% 2.29%
2003 0.003% 1.67%
2002 -0.61% 0.29%
2001 -0.58% 0.4%
2000 -0.6% -0.11%
1999 0.15% -3.42%
1998 1.08% 0.65%
1997 0.83% 2.98%
1996 -10.1% -0.93%
1995 -7.98% -0.26%
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 (1995–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1924–1997, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Bulgaria's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $3.94B, equivalent to 3.01% of GDP. This compares to Estonia's deficit of $626M, or 1.33% of GDP.

Over the past 31 years, Bulgaria recorded a fiscal deficit in 19 of those years, while Estonia ran a deficit in 20 years. On average, Bulgaria posted an annual deficit equal to 1.1% of GDP, compared to deficit of 0.54% of GDP for Estonia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Bulgaria

Estonia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Bulgaria Estonia
2025 3.5% 4.83%
2024 2.6% 3.52%
2023 8.6% 9.16%
2022 13% 19.4%
2021 2.8% 4.65%
2020 1.2% -0.44%
2019 2.5% 2.28%
2018 2.6% 3.44%
2017 1.2% 3.42%
2016 -1.3% 0.15%
2015 -1.1% -0.49%
2014 -1.6% -0.11%
2013 0.4% 2.78%
2012 2.4% 3.93%
2011 3.4% 4.98%
2010 3% 2.97%
2009 2.5% -0.08%
2008 12% 10.4%
2007 7.6% 6.6%
2006 7.4% 4.44%
2005 6% 4.08%
2004 6.1% 3.05%
2003 2.3% 1.33%
2002 5.8% 3.57%
2001 7.4% 5.75%
2000 10.3% 4.02%
1999 2.6% 3.3%
1998 18.7% 8.21%
1997 1,061% 10.6%

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/bulgaria/estonia | CC BY

Over the past 29 years, Bulgaria has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 41.1%, compared with 4.47% in Estonia. In 2025, inflation was 3.5% in Bulgaria and 4.83% in Estonia.

Top exports between countries

Bulgaria
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $26.4M
Business & finance services $26.1M
Chemicals & pharma $8.27M
Metals $7.46M
Transport & tourism services $7.25M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $6.6M
Textiles & consumer goods $6.12M
Manufacturing & construction services $4.22M
IT & IP services $2.92M
Precious metals & jewellery $2.79M
Estonia
Export category Export value
Precious metals & jewellery $241M
Machinery & equipment $49.8M
Business & finance services $14.8M
IT & IP services $12.8M
Animal & marine products $10.3M
Transport & tourism services $8.66M
Chemicals & pharma $6.66M
Textiles & consumer goods $5.3M
Wood & paper products $3.58M
Metals $2.59M

Balance of trade

Bulgaria Estonia
Current account balance
-$7.64B
2025
-$70M
2025
Current account balance ranking
170/190
2025
79/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
-5.84%
2025
-0.15%
2025
Goods imports
$58.5B
2025
$24.4B
2025
Goods exports
$47.9B
2025
$21.2B
2025
Service imports
$9.42B
2025
$12B
2025
Service exports
$18.6B
2025
$15.6B
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
51.8%
2025
77.4%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
50.7%
2025
78.4%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Bulgaria Estonia
Economic freedom 68.9 78.7
Economic freedom ranking 44/197 10/197
Property rights 75.8 93.6
Government integrity 48.4 86.3
Judicial effectiveness 58.5 92.4
Tax burden 89.1 77.9
Government spending 58.4 46
Fiscal health 90.4 93.1
Business freedom 78.2 82.8
Labor freedom 62.4 59
Monetary freedom 75.8 73.9
Trade freedom 79.4 79.4
Investment freedom 60 90
Financial freedom 50 70

Economic freedom comparison by year

Bulgaria
Estonia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Bulgaria Estonia
2026 68.9 78.7
2025 68.8 78.9
2024 68.5 77.8
2023 69.3 78.6
2022 71 80
2021 70.4 78.2
2020 70.2 77.7
2019 69 76.6
2018 68.3 78.8
2017 67.9 79.1
2016 65.9 77.2
2015 66.8 76.8
2014 65.7 75.9
2013 65 75.3
2012 64.7 73.2
2011 64.9 75.2
2010 62.3 74.7
2009 64.6 76.4
2008 63.7 77.9
2007 62.7 78
2006 64.1 74.9
2005 62.3 75.2
2004 59.2 77.4
2003 57 77.7
2002 57.1 77.6
2001 51.9 76.1
2000 47.3 69.9
1999 46.2 73.8
1998 45.7 72.5
1997 47.6 69.1
1996 48.6 65.4
1995 50 65.2

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Bulgaria is 68.9, ranking 44/197, compared to 78.7 for Estonia, ranking 10/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Bulgaria Estonia
Services, % of GDP
63.3%
2025
65.8%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
21.2%
2025
19.7%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
2.47%
2025
1.65%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$114B
2025
$44.2B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$42,170
2025
$51,370
2025
Total reserves including gold
$47.1B
2025
$2.44B
2025
Total reserves ranking
51/177
2025
124/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$3.37B
2025
$814M
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$3.05B
2024
-$3.44B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$1.21B
2024
-$3.72B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
6.8%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
21.7%
2023
22.5%
2022
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
21.7%
2025
24.8%
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/bulgaria/estonia | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1980–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1995–2025, 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 (2024–2025, 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.