Skip to content

Economy of Bulgaria vs Israel compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Bulgaria has a GDP of $113B compared to $540B for Israel, ranking 67/197 and 29/197 by economy size, respectively.

Bulgaria has $27.3B in government debt (24.1% of GDP), compared to $366B (67.6% of GDP) in Israel.

Bulgaria vs Israel GDP by year

Bulgaria
Israel
1x
Year GDP, current $
Bulgaria Israel
2024 $113,343,355,780 $540,379,921,262
2023 $102,199,231,385 $512,184,638,999
2022 $90,506,153,294 $525,181,008,026
2021 $84,374,613,233 $489,851,549,972
2020 $70,486,877,546 $410,768,352,658
2019 $68,507,731,354 $400,645,216,359
2018 $66,097,226,262 $376,299,083,108
2017 $59,167,647,388 $358,451,839,053
2016 $53,929,397,039 $321,940,971,558
2015 $50,765,918,159 $303,469,434,072
2014 $57,080,897,012 $315,017,088,117
2013 $55,819,262,375 $298,478,070,673
2012 $54,297,052,002 $263,589,172,712
2011 $57,681,293,007 $268,094,998,225
2010 $50,689,051,382 $239,679,036,634
2009 $52,023,801,230 $213,403,181,853
2008 $54,480,684,188 $221,231,658,863
2007 $44,431,257,129 $184,681,214,673
2006 $34,380,536,496 $158,900,547,825
2005 $29,868,657,858 $147,519,922,009
2004 $26,157,743,369 $140,047,984,605
2003 $21,144,957,990 $131,408,914,824
2002 $16,403,043,850 $125,332,331,884
2001 $14,183,446,026 $135,002,039,613
2000 $13,245,990,274 $136,512,300,542
1999 $13,637,098,579 $121,417,185,062
1998 $15,031,055,047 $120,547,409,279
1997 $11,316,127,379 $119,459,826,347
1996 $12,294,964,838 $115,116,595,545
1995 $18,991,484,420 $105,497,418,059
1994 $9,709,240,034 $90,740,103,829
1993 $10,832,064,942 $79,855,877,174
1992 $8,602,887,623 $79,457,685,757
1991 $7,628,738,475 $70,998,755,007
1990 $20,632,090,909 $62,016,729,541
1989 $21,988,444,444 $52,443,479,454
1988 $22,555,941,176 $52,650,948,910
1987 $28,101,000,000 $43,049,543,635
1986 $20,249,294,118 $35,834,154,874
1985 $17,155,421,053 $28,905,736,367
1984 $17,594,944,444 $30,645,607,293
1983 $16,563,666,667 $32,675,755,462
1982 $19,342,000,000 $29,255,285,401
1981 $19,870,000,000 $26,882,009,819
1980 $19,839,230,769 $25,395,256,478
1979 - $22,609,741,060
1978 - $17,701,286,907
1977 - $18,257,113,904
1976 - $15,956,349,550
1975 - $16,141,767,373
1974 - $17,172,607,138
1973 - $11,902,574,259
1972 - $9,222,557,539
1971 - $7,052,544,000
1970 - $7,406,712,876
1969 - $6,297,852,761
1968 - $5,458,427,928
1967 - $4,762,386,783
1966 - $4,703,300,098
1965 - $4,329,084,429
1964 - $4,024,344,853
1963 - $3,535,949,089
1962 - $2,966,154,031
1961 - $3,708,586,471
1960 - $3,070,585,807

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

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

GDP per capita in Bulgaria vs Israel by year

Bulgaria
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Israel
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Bulgaria Israel
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $17,596 $41,969 $54,177 $57,236
2023 $15,853 $38,829 $52,004 $55,171
2022 $13,999 $36,320 $54,950 $53,619
2021 $12,966 $30,959 $52,271 $46,162
2020 $10,760 $27,352 $44,576 $40,955
2019 $10,354 $26,766 $44,251 $41,325
2018 $9,849 $23,998 $42,363 $40,190
2017 $8,697 $22,317 $41,138 $39,471
2016 $7,822 $20,746 $37,672 $38,189
2015 $7,269 $18,896 $36,213 $35,871
2014 $8,070 $17,991 $38,343 $34,816
2013 $7,796 $16,894 $37,034 $34,827
2012 $7,432 $16,327 $33,321 $32,484
2011 $7,850 $15,747 $34,523 $31,314
2010 $6,854 $14,954 $31,439 $29,456
2009 $6,988 $14,188 $28,508 $28,087
2008 $7,271 $14,347 $30,269 $28,084
2007 $5,889 $12,822 $25,721 $28,307
2006 $4,523 $11,406 $22,527 $26,385
2005 $3,900 $10,291 $21,287 $25,701
2004 $3,390 $9,200 $20,568 $26,078
2003 $2,719 $8,416 $19,643 $24,702
2002 $2,093 $7,786 $19,076 $26,101
2001 $1,771 $6,960 $20,966 $25,806
2000 $1,621 $6,424 $21,707 $25,766
1999 $1,661 $5,808 $19,823 $23,415
1998 $1,820 $6,178 $20,189 $22,927
1997 $1,361 $5,751 $20,469 $22,279
1996 $1,470 $6,849 $20,224 $21,672
1995 $2,259 $7,743 $19,026 $20,642
1994 $1,150 $7,338 $16,807 $19,478
1993 $1,279 $7,032 $15,179 $18,218
1992 $1,007 $6,917 $15,510 $17,553
1991 $884 $7,215 $14,346 $16,486
1990 $2,367 $7,548 $13,308 $15,721
1989 $2,477 - $11,608 -
1988 $2,511 - $11,853 -
1987 $3,132 - $9,853 -
1986 $2,260 - $8,335 -
1985 $1,915 - $6,829 -
1984 $1,964 - $7,369 -
1983 $1,853 - $7,960 -
1982 $2,169 - $7,258 -
1981 $2,235 - $6,795 -
1980 $2,239 - $6,549 -
1979 - - $5,972 -
1978 - - $4,797 -
1977 - - $5,053 -
1976 - - $4,516 -
1975 - - $4,672 -
1974 - - $5,085 -
1973 - - $3,631 -
1972 - - $2,930 -
1971 - - $2,298 -
1970 - - $2,490 -
1969 - - $2,189 -
1968 - - $1,947 -
1967 - - $1,735 -
1966 - - $1,789 -
1965 - - $1,689 -
1964 - - $1,626 -
1963 - - $1,486 -
1962 - - $1,294 -
1961 - - $1,697 -
1960 - - $1,452 -

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

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

Bulgaria's GDP per capita is $17,596, ranking 64/197, compared to $54,177 in Israel, ranking 21/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Bulgaria ranks 54th at $41,969, while Israel ranks 36th at $57,236.

Economic indicators

Bulgaria Israel
Gross domestic product
$113B
2024
$540B
2024
GDP rank
67/197
2024
29/197
2024
GDP growth
3.39%
2023-2024
0.87%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$17,596
2024
$54,177
2024
GDP per capita rank
64/197
2024
21/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$41,969
2024
$57,236
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
54/197
2024
36/197
2024
Government debt
$27.3B
2024
$366B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
24.1%
2024
67.6%
2024
Government debt per person
$4,237
2024
$36,645
2024
Government debt per person rank
90/185
2024
18/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$14,263
2026
$43,003
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$8.41B
2024
$331B
2024
Number of millionaires n/a
179,905
2025
Number of billionaires
2
2025
41
2025
Income share by richest 10%
31.1%
2023
26.6%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
2.1%
2023
2%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
36.7%
2024
43.8%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.6%
2023-2024
3.07%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
1.81%
2025
4.5%
2024
Unemployment rate
4.17%
2024
2.9%
2024
Population
6359449
10290887

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Bulgaria
Spending

Debt
Israel
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Bulgaria Israel
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 36.7% 24.1% 43.8% 67.6%
2023 37.4% 22.9% 39.3% 61.3%
2022 37.6% 22.5% 36.9% 60.3%
2021 38.4% 23.8% 40% 67.7%
2020 37.6% 22.7% 44.8% 71.1%
2019 36% 18.4% 38.7% 59.3%
2018 34.4% 20.1% 39.2% 60.1%
2017 32% 22.9% 38.3% 59.8%
2016 32.7% 27% 37.9% 61.7%
2015 37.3% 25.4% 37.6% 62.8%
2014 37.1% 26.3% 38.3% 64.9%
2013 35.5% 17.2% 39.7% 66%
2012 32.5% 16.5% 39.6% 66.9%
2011 32% 14.3% 39.3% 67.2%
2010 34.6% 14.1% 39.7% 69%
2009 33.8% 14.5% 41.4% 72.6%
2008 33.5% 14.7% 41.2% 70.2%
2007 33.1% 17.6% 40.2% 70.8%
2006 32.5% 22.6% 41.6% 77.7%
2005 34% 28.5% 42.3% 85.2%
2004 34.6% 37.8% 43% 88.3%
2003 35.8% 45.4% 45.4% 89.7%
2002 35.1% 53.4% 50% 87.2%
2001 36.5% 67.1% 46.1% 81.1%
2000 37.1% 73.3% 43.4% 77.2%
1999 36.2% 78.7% 53.6% 94.8%
1998 30.6% 67.3% 55% 101%
1997 32.9% 88.4% 52.6% 99.3%
1996 44% 113.8% 53.2% 100.3%
1995 45.4% 72% 52.8% 102.3%
1994 - - 41.7% 110.2%
1993 - - 42.2% 118.3%
1992 - - 44.1% 119.6%
1991 - - 34.4% 123.7%
1990 - - 46.8% 138.3%
1989 - - 47.5% 147.4%
1988 - - 46.5% 145.4%
1987 - - 52.8% 143.2%
1986 - - 55.7% 162.5%
1985 - - 65.2% 199%
1984 - - - 284%
1983 - - - 260.5%
1982 - - 69.7% -
1981 - - 71.8% -
1980 - - 69.4% 154.3%
1979 - - 70.1% 155.5%
1978 - - 62.2% 133.6%
1977 - - 69.1% 142%
1976 - - 66.3% 97.4%
1975 - - 62% 85.1%
1974 - - - 79.8%
1973 - - - 62.1%
1972 - - - 63.9%
1971 - - - -
1970 - - 41.6% -
1969 - - 41.1% -
1968 - - 39.4% -
1967 - - 33.9% -
1966 - - 29.6% -
1965 - - 27.8% -
1964 - - 28.2% -
1963 - - 26.9% -
1962 - - 27.7% -
1961 - - 30.3% -
1960 - - 30.4% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1998–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Bulgaria's government spending was $41.5B, accounting for 36.7% of its GDP, while Israel spent $237B, or 43.8% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 24.1% in Bulgaria and 67.6% in Israel, ranking 169/185 and 62/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Bulgaria

Israel
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Bulgaria Israel
2024 -3.04% -8.26%
2023 -3.03% -5.06%
2022 -0.8% 0.32%
2021 -2.8% -3.37%
2020 -2.92% -10.7%
2019 -0.96% -3.79%
2018 0.12% -3.56%
2017 0.82% -1.13%
2016 1.54% -1.79%
2015 -2.77% -1.21%
2014 -3.65% -2.29%
2013 -1.75% -4.06%
2012 -0.43% -4.46%
2011 -1.83% -3.43%
2010 -3.77% -3.72%
2009 -0.86% -6.53%
2008 2.73% -3.5%
2007 3.09% -0.43%
2006 3.22% -0.95%
2005 2.19% -2.74%
2004 1.59% -3.4%
2003 0.003% -5.03%
2002 -0.61% -8.22%
2001 -0.58% -4.06%
2000 -0.6% -0.8%
1999 0.15% -6.26%
1998 1.08% -7.99%
1997 0.83% -4.84%
1996 -10.1% -5.97%
1995 -7.98% -4.28%
1994 - -5.62%
1993 - -5.62%
1992 - -8%
1991 - -7.04%
1990 - -9.67%
1989 - -9.03%
1988 - -7.57%
1987 - -7.47%
1986 - -7.51%
1985 - -14.2%
1984 - -
1983 - -
1982 - -13.8%
1981 - -23.5%
1980 - -19.6%
1979 - -16.7%
1978 - -14.7%
1977 - -20.3%
1976 - -19.4%
1975 - -19.6%
1974 - -
1973 - -
1972 - -
1971 - -
1970 - -16%
1969 - -15.3%
1968 - -11.7%
1967 - -7.68%
1966 - -4.35%
1965 - -2.72%
1964 - -3.65%
1963 - -4.41%
1962 - -4.09%
1961 - -5.86%
1960 - -6.62%
1959 - -7.23%
1958 - -8.31%
1957 - -7.17%
1956 - -9.3%
1955 - -4.3%
1954 - -7.84%
1953 - -8.32%
1952 - -7.19%
1951 - -8.13%
1950 - -10.7%
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) | Public Finances in Modern History (1924–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1998–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/bulgaria/israel | 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 Israel's deficit of $44.6B, or 8.26% of GDP.

Over the past 30 years, Bulgaria recorded a fiscal deficit in 18 of those years, while Israel ran a deficit in 29 years. On average, Bulgaria posted an annual deficit equal to 1.04% of GDP, compared to deficit of 4.05% of GDP for Israel.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Bulgaria

Israel
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Bulgaria Israel
2024 2.6% 3.07%
2023 8.6% 4.23%
2022 13% 4.41%
2021 2.8% 1.48%
2020 1.2% -0.58%
2019 2.5% 0.82%
2018 2.6% 0.81%
2017 1.2% 0.25%
2016 -1.3% -0.54%
2015 -1.1% -0.62%
2014 -1.6% 0.47%
2013 0.4% 1.59%
2012 2.4% 1.68%
2011 3.4% 3.49%
2010 3% 2.7%
2009 2.5% 3.37%
2008 12% 4.53%
2007 7.6% 0.47%
2006 7.4% 2.05%
2005 6% 1.34%
2004 6.1% -0.42%
2003 2.3% 0.71%
2002 5.8% 5.8%
2001 7.4% 1.12%
2000 10.3% 1.03%
1999 2.6% 5.19%
1998 18.7% 5.49%
1997 1,061% 8.95%

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/israel | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Bulgaria has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 42.5%, compared with 2.25% in Israel. In 2024, inflation was 2.6% in Bulgaria and 3.07% in Israel.

Top exports between countries

Bulgaria
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $40.8M
Machinery & equipment $39.5M
Textiles & consumer goods $28.1M
Chemicals & pharma $21.7M
Raw materials & minerals $17.3M
Metals $14.8M
Raw agricultural goods $9.76M
Wood & paper products $3.66M
Animal & marine products $1.23M
Miscellaneous $119K
Israel
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $27.1M
Machinery & equipment $22M
Metals $7.33M
Textiles & consumer goods $3.39M
Raw materials & minerals $2.96M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $2.12M
Raw agricultural goods $1.64M
Precious metals & jewellery $394K
Wood & paper products $95K
Miscellaneous $41K

Balance of trade

Bulgaria Israel
Current account balance
-$1.74B
2024
$15.5B
2024
Current account balance ranking
138/190
2024
21/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-1.54%
2024
+2.86%
2024
Goods imports
$52.8B
2024
$96.3B
2024
Goods exports
$47.3B
2024
$70B
2024
Service imports
$8.26B
2024
$44.4B
2024
Service exports
$16.6B
2024
$83.7B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
53.9%
2024
26%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
56.4%
2024
28.4%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Bulgaria Israel
Economic freedom 68.9 68.4
Economic freedom ranking 44/197 47/197
Property rights 75.8 73.1
Government integrity 48.4 66.2
Judicial effectiveness 58.5 68.1
Tax burden 89.1 60.2
Government spending 58.4 52
Fiscal health 90.4 60.8
Business freedom 78.2 72.4
Labor freedom 62.4 56.8
Monetary freedom 75.8 78.2
Trade freedom 79.4 82.8
Investment freedom 60 70
Financial freedom 50 80

Economic freedom comparison by year

Bulgaria
Israel
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Bulgaria Israel
2026 68.9 68.4
2025 68.8 69.9
2024 68.5 70.1
2023 69.3 68.9
2022 71 68
2021 70.4 73.8
2020 70.2 74
2019 69 72.8
2018 68.3 72.2
2017 67.9 69.7
2016 65.9 70.7
2015 66.8 70.5
2014 65.7 68.4
2013 65 66.9
2012 64.7 67.8
2011 64.9 68.5
2010 62.3 67.7
2009 64.6 67.6
2008 63.7 66.3
2007 62.7 64.8
2006 64.1 64.4
2005 62.3 62.6
2004 59.2 61.4
2003 57 62.7
2002 57.1 66.9
2001 51.9 66.1
2000 47.3 65.5
1999 46.2 68.3
1998 45.7 68
1997 47.6 62.7
1996 48.6 62
1995 50 61.5

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Bulgaria is 68.9, ranking 44/197, compared to 68.4 for Israel, ranking 47/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Bulgaria Israel
Services, % of GDP
63.8%
2024
72.5%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
21.1%
2024
17.3%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
2.35%
2024
1.28%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$99B
2024
$528B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$39,850
2024
$56,790
2024
Total reserves including gold
$43.7B
2024
$215B
2024
Total reserves ranking
47/177
2024
18/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$2.22B
2024
-$4.86B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$3.55B
2024
$14.8B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$1.13B
2024
$9.92B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
6.8%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
21.7%
2023
22%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
20.4%
2024
23.4%
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/bulgaria/israel | CC BY

Compare countries by 7 more topics

Help us show the world through your eyes

Share a photo of your city and help others discover what it looks like to live there. Your contribution makes our data come alive.

Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1998–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1924–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. TradeMap (2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  9. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2020, retrieved 2026-02-20)

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.