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Economy of Bulgaria vs Israel compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Bulgaria has a GDP of $131B compared to $611B for Israel, ranking 63/197 and 27/197 by economy size, respectively.

Bulgaria has $35.4B in government debt (27.1% of GDP), compared to $418B (68.5% of GDP) in Israel.

Bulgaria vs Israel GDP by year

Bulgaria
Israel
1x
Year GDP, current $
Bulgaria Israel
2025 $130,777,235,530 $610,777,842,874
2024 $113,349,149,167 $542,284,494,491
2023 $102,204,457,335 $513,393,395,492
2022 $90,510,784,778 $525,157,951,213
2021 $84,378,926,047 $489,735,019,666
2020 $70,490,478,088 $410,908,899,711
2019 $68,511,235,459 $399,207,771,082
2018 $66,100,606,677 $375,470,422,244
2017 $59,170,671,046 $357,360,816,857
2016 $53,932,152,154 $321,083,954,798
2015 $50,768,512,173 $302,841,190,258
2014 $57,083,817,240 $314,376,760,832
2013 $55,822,115,861 $298,045,324,736
2012 $54,299,825,600 $263,172,104,091
2011 $57,684,243,980 $267,739,352,609
2010 $50,691,645,231 $239,372,857,534
2009 $52,026,461,290 $213,112,649,594
2008 $54,483,464,293 $220,952,472,408
2007 $44,433,521,725 $184,448,882,452
2006 $34,382,295,487 $158,706,516,002
2005 $29,870,182,425 $147,346,035,831
2004 $26,159,078,743 $139,925,423,025
2003 $21,146,038,619 $131,278,887,815
2002 $16,403,880,783 $125,215,963,105
2001 $14,184,170,319 $134,889,159,474
2000 $13,246,669,554 $136,409,902,632
1999 $13,637,793,854 $121,329,240,042
1998 $15,031,821,788 $120,468,659,246
1997 $11,316,706,412 $119,389,303,067
1996 $12,295,588,924 $115,051,957,577
1995 $18,992,388,645 $105,432,315,611
1994 $9,709,230,161 $90,684,108,118
1993 $10,832,041,595 $79,806,598,120
1992 $8,602,874,120 $79,408,652,426
1991 $7,628,764,750 $70,954,941,681
1990 $20,726,605,649 $61,978,459,022
1989 $21,746,286,447 $52,411,116,588
1988 $23,003,003,708 $52,618,458,014
1987 $28,428,718,531 $43,022,977,765
1986 $20,261,546,635 $35,812,041,620
1985 $17,562,270,447 $28,887,898,639
1984 $17,410,894,971 $30,626,695,891
1983 $16,959,180,922 $32,655,591,256
1982 $19,803,624,625 $29,237,231,967
1981 $20,055,685,481 $26,865,420,933
1980 $20,039,544,133 $25,379,585,067
1979 - $22,595,788,591
1978 - $17,690,363,444
1977 - $18,245,847,441
1976 - $15,946,502,888
1975 - $16,131,806,290
1974 - $17,162,009,924
1973 - $11,895,229,181
1972 - $9,216,866,299
1971 - $7,048,191,876
1970 - $7,402,142,195
1969 - $6,293,966,357
1968 - $5,455,059,532
1967 - $4,759,447,914
1966 - $4,700,397,692
1965 - $4,326,412,951
1964 - $4,021,861,430
1963 - $3,533,767,055
1962 - $2,964,323,618
1961 - $3,706,297,903
1960 - $3,068,690,949

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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
2025 $20,328 - $60,337 -
2024 $17,597 $41,969 $54,217 $57,236
2023 $15,854 $38,829 $52,126 $55,171
2022 $14,000 $36,320 $54,947 $53,619
2021 $12,967 $30,959 $52,258 $46,162
2020 $10,761 $27,352 $44,591 $40,955
2019 $10,354 $26,766 $44,092 $41,325
2018 $9,850 $23,998 $42,269 $40,190
2017 $8,697 $22,317 $41,013 $39,471
2016 $7,823 $20,746 $37,571 $38,189
2015 $7,269 $18,896 $36,138 $35,871
2014 $8,070 $17,991 $38,265 $34,816
2013 $7,796 $16,894 $36,981 $34,827
2012 $7,432 $16,327 $33,269 $32,484
2011 $7,850 $15,747 $34,477 $31,314
2010 $6,854 $14,954 $31,399 $29,456
2009 $6,989 $14,188 $28,470 $28,087
2008 $7,272 $14,347 $30,231 $28,084
2007 $5,889 $12,822 $25,689 $28,307
2006 $4,523 $11,406 $22,500 $26,385
2005 $3,900 $10,291 $21,262 $25,701
2004 $3,390 $9,200 $20,550 $26,078
2003 $2,720 $8,416 $19,624 $24,702
2002 $2,093 $7,786 $19,059 $26,101
2001 $1,771 $6,960 $20,949 $25,806
2000 $1,621 $6,424 $21,690 $25,766
1999 $1,661 $5,808 $19,809 $23,415
1998 $1,821 $6,178 $20,176 $22,927
1997 $1,361 $5,751 $20,457 $22,279
1996 $1,470 $6,849 $20,213 $21,672
1995 $2,259 $7,743 $19,014 $20,642
1994 $1,150 $7,338 $16,796 $19,478
1993 $1,279 $7,032 $15,169 $18,218
1992 $1,007 $6,917 $15,500 $17,553
1991 $884 $7,215 $14,337 $16,486
1990 $2,377 $7,548 $13,300 $15,721
1989 $2,450 - $11,601 -
1988 $2,561 - $11,846 -
1987 $3,169 - $9,847 -
1986 $2,262 - $8,330 -
1985 $1,960 - $6,824 -
1984 $1,943 - $7,364 -
1983 $1,897 - $7,955 -
1982 $2,221 - $7,253 -
1981 $2,256 - $6,791 -
1980 $2,261 - $6,545 -
1979 - - $5,968 -
1978 - - $4,794 -
1977 - - $5,050 -
1976 - - $4,514 -
1975 - - $4,669 -
1974 - - $5,082 -
1973 - - $3,629 -
1972 - - $2,928 -
1971 - - $2,297 -
1970 - - $2,489 -
1969 - - $2,188 -
1968 - - $1,946 -
1967 - - $1,734 -
1966 - - $1,788 -
1965 - - $1,688 -
1964 - - $1,625 -
1963 - - $1,485 -
1962 - - $1,293 -
1961 - - $1,696 -
1960 - - $1,452 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Bulgaria's GDP per capita is $20,328, ranking 58/197, compared to $60,337 in Israel, ranking 19/197. 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
$131B
2025
$611B
2025
GDP rank
63/197
2025
27/197
2025
GDP growth
3.1%
2024-2025
2.93%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$20,328
2025
$60,337
2025
GDP per capita rank
58/197
2025
19/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$41,969
2024
$57,236
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
54/197
2024
36/197
2024
Government debt
$35.4B
2025
$418B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
27.1%
2025
68.5%
2025
Government debt per person
$5,507
2025
$41,338
2025
Government debt per person rank
79/185
2025
16/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$16,126
2026
$48,251
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$11.2B
2025
$331B
2024
Number of millionaires n/a
195,000
2026
Number of billionaires
2
2026
42
2026
Income share by richest 10%
31.1%
2023
27%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
2.1%
2023
1.8%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
38.9%
2025
43.6%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
3.5%
2024-2025
3.04%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
1.81%
2025
3.75%
2026
Unemployment rate
3.5%
2025
3%
2025
Population
6390149
10334048

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
2025 38.9% 27.1% 43.6% 68.5%
2024 36.3% 23.8% 43.7% 67.7%
2023 37.5% 22.9% 39.6% 61.3%
2022 37.6% 22.5% 36.9% 60.3%
2021 38.5% 23.9% 40.1% 67.7%
2020 37.7% 22.7% 44.8% 71.1%
2019 36.1% 18.4% 38.7% 59.3%
2018 34.4% 20.1% 39.2% 60.1%
2017 32% 22.9% 38.4% 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% 65.8%
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 (1998–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1999, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Bulgaria's government spending was $50.8B, accounting for 38.9% of its GDP, while Israel spent $266B, or 43.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 27.1% in Bulgaria and 68.5% in Israel, ranking 164/185 and 60/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Bulgaria

Israel
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Bulgaria Israel
2025 -3.01% -5.22%
2024 -3.01% -8.07%
2023 -3.04% -5.38%
2022 -0.8% 0.3%
2021 -2.8% -3.37%
2020 -2.92% -10.6%
2019 -0.96% -3.79%
2018 0.12% -3.58%
2017 0.82% -1.17%
2016 1.54% -1.78%
2015 -2.77% -1.2%
2014 -3.65% -2.28%
2013 -1.75% -4.07%
2012 -0.43% -4.46%
2011 -1.83% -3.43%
2010 -3.77% -3.72%
2009 -0.86% -6.53%
2008 2.73% -3.49%
2007 3.09% -0.43%
2006 3.22% -0.94%
2005 2.19% -2.74%
2004 1.59% -3.4%
2003 0.003% -5.03%
2002 -0.61% -8.21%
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 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1998–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/bulgaria/israel | 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 Israel's deficit of $31.9B, or 5.22% of GDP.

Over the past 31 years, Bulgaria recorded a fiscal deficit in 19 of those years, while Israel ran a deficit in 30 years. On average, Bulgaria posted an annual deficit equal to 1.1% of GDP, compared to deficit of 4.09% of GDP for Israel.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Bulgaria

Israel
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Bulgaria Israel
2025 3.5% 3.04%
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 (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 29 years, Bulgaria has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 41.1%, compared with 2.27% in Israel. In 2025, inflation was 3.5% in Bulgaria and 3.04% in Israel.

Top exports between countries

Bulgaria
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $44.7M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $40.6M
Textiles & consumer goods $33.8M
Chemicals & pharma $20.9M
Raw materials & minerals $12.2M
Metals $10.8M
Raw agricultural goods $8.48M
Wood & paper products $3.33M
Animal & marine products $1.92M
Weapons & explosives $1.13M
Israel
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $50.7M
Machinery & equipment $30.9M
Metals $13.6M
Textiles & consumer goods $5.65M
Raw materials & minerals $2.13M
Raw agricultural goods $1.7M
Animal & marine products $1M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $912K
Wood & paper products $499K
Precious metals & jewellery $342K

Balance of trade

Bulgaria Israel
Current account balance
-$7.64B
2025
$8.53B
2025
Current account balance ranking
170/190
2025
26/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
-5.84%
2025
+1.4%
2025
Goods imports
$58.5B
2025
$102B
2025
Goods exports
$47.9B
2025
$76.2B
2025
Service imports
$9.42B
2025
$53.2B
2025
Service exports
$18.6B
2025
$92.4B
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
51.8%
2025
25.4%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
50.7%
2025
27.6%
2025

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 2026-07-08).

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
63.3%
2025
72.8%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
21.2%
2025
17.2%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
2.47%
2025
1.29%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$114B
2025
$569B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$42,170
2025
$58,870
2025
Total reserves including gold
$47.1B
2025
$229B
2025
Total reserves ranking
51/177
2025
18/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$3.37B
2025
-$11.8B
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$3.05B
2024
$14.8B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$1.21B
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
21.7%
2025
24.3%
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/israel | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1998–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1924–1999, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. TradeMap (2023–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  9. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2020, 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.