Skip to content

Economy of Bulgaria vs Kenya compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Bulgaria has a GDP of $131B compared to $136B for Kenya, ranking 63/197 and 62/197 by economy size, respectively.

Bulgaria has $35.4B in government debt (27.1% of GDP), compared to $94.3B (69.3% of GDP) in Kenya.

Bulgaria vs Kenya GDP by year

Bulgaria
Kenya
1x
Year GDP, current $
Bulgaria Kenya
2025 $130,777,235,530 $135,941,278,879
2024 $113,349,149,167 $120,397,537,850
2023 $102,204,457,335 $107,500,884,685
2022 $90,510,784,778 $114,448,978,153
2021 $84,378,926,047 $109,703,658,905
2020 $70,490,478,088 $100,657,505,751
2019 $68,511,235,459 $100,378,436,207
2018 $66,100,606,677 $92,202,979,985
2017 $59,170,671,046 $82,036,510,877
2016 $53,932,152,154 $74,815,144,164
2015 $50,768,512,173 $70,120,446,897
2014 $57,083,817,240 $68,285,796,514
2013 $55,822,115,861 $61,671,440,408
2012 $54,299,825,600 $56,396,704,672
2011 $57,684,243,980 $46,869,473,151
2010 $50,691,645,231 $45,405,615,064
2009 $52,026,461,290 $42,347,217,913
2008 $54,483,464,293 $35,895,153,328
2007 $44,433,521,725 $31,958,195,182
2006 $34,382,295,487 $25,825,512,284
2005 $29,870,182,425 $18,737,895,513
2004 $26,159,078,743 $16,095,337,094
2003 $21,146,038,619 $14,904,517,650
2002 $16,403,880,783 $13,147,736,899
2001 $14,184,170,319 $12,986,007,426
2000 $13,246,669,554 $12,705,350,098
1999 $13,637,793,854 $12,896,010,459
1998 $15,031,821,788 $14,093,998,844
1997 $11,316,706,412 $13,115,764,358
1996 $12,295,588,924 $12,045,865,396
1995 $18,992,388,645 $9,046,320,255
1994 $9,709,230,161 $7,148,148,564
1993 $10,832,041,595 $5,751,786,643
1992 $8,602,874,120 $8,209,120,763
1991 $7,628,764,750 $8,151,488,783
1990 $20,726,605,649 $8,572,359,038
1989 $21,746,286,447 $8,283,114,514
1988 $23,003,003,708 $8,355,380,879
1987 $28,428,718,531 $7,970,820,369
1986 $20,261,546,635 $7,239,126,568
1985 $17,562,270,447 $6,135,034,214
1984 $17,410,894,971 $6,191,437,070
1983 $16,959,180,922 $5,979,198,314
1982 $19,803,624,625 $6,431,579,357
1981 $20,055,685,481 $6,854,491,706
1980 $20,039,544,133 $7,265,315,820
1979 - $6,234,391,113
1978 - $5,303,735,111
1977 - $4,494,378,764
1976 - $3,474,542,392
1975 - $3,259,345,083
1974 - $2,969,958,812
1973 - $2,509,001,324
1972 - $2,107,279,157
1971 - $1,778,391,289
1970 - $1,603,447,359
1969 - $1,458,379,417
1968 - $1,353,295,459
1967 - $1,232,559,507
1966 - $1,164,519,674
1965 - $997,919,321
1964 - $998,759,334
1963 - $926,589,349
1962 - $868,111,401
1961 - $792,959,473
1960 - $791,265,459

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

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

GDP per capita in Bulgaria vs Kenya by year

Bulgaria
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Kenya
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Bulgaria Kenya
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $20,328 - $2,363 -
2024 $17,597 $41,969 $2,133 $6,644
2023 $15,854 $38,829 $1,943 $6,317
2022 $14,000 $36,320 $2,110 $5,883
2021 $12,967 $30,959 $2,061 $5,339
2020 $10,761 $27,352 $1,928 $4,793
2019 $10,354 $26,766 $1,960 $4,687
2018 $9,850 $23,998 $1,836 $4,412
2017 $8,697 $22,317 $1,667 $4,177
2016 $7,823 $20,746 $1,554 $3,917
2015 $7,269 $18,896 $1,489 $3,678
2014 $8,070 $17,991 $1,483 $3,359
2013 $7,796 $16,894 $1,371 $3,106
2012 $7,432 $16,327 $1,285 $2,847
2011 $7,850 $15,747 $1,096 $2,750
2010 $6,854 $14,954 $1,092 $2,635
2009 $6,989 $14,188 $1,048 $2,480
2008 $7,272 $14,347 $916 $2,459
2007 $5,889 $12,822 $840 $2,481
2006 $4,523 $11,406 $700 $2,330
2005 $3,900 $10,291 $523 $2,189
2004 $3,390 $9,200 $464 $2,066
2003 $2,720 $8,416 $443 $1,975
2002 $2,093 $7,786 $403 $1,940
2001 $1,771 $6,960 $411 $1,961
2000 $1,621 $6,424 $415 $1,907
1999 $1,661 $5,808 $434 $1,910
1998 $1,821 $6,178 $488 $1,895
1997 $1,361 $5,751 $467 $1,865
1996 $1,470 $6,849 $441 $1,875
1995 $2,259 $7,743 $340 $1,818
1994 $1,150 $7,338 $276.4 $1,754
1993 $1,279 $7,032 $229 $1,723
1992 $1,007 $6,917 $337 $1,728
1991 $884 $7,215 $345 $1,756
1990 $2,377 $7,548 $374 $1,729
1989 $2,450 - $374 -
1988 $2,561 - $391 -
1987 $3,169 - $387 -
1986 $2,262 - $364 -
1985 $1,960 - $320 -
1984 $1,943 - $334 -
1983 $1,897 - $335 -
1982 $2,221 - $374 -
1981 $2,256 - $413 -
1980 $2,261 - $454 -
1979 - - $403 -
1978 - - $355 -
1977 - - $311 -
1976 - - $248.9 -
1975 - - $241.2 -
1974 - - $227.2 -
1973 - - $198.6 -
1972 - - $172.6 -
1971 - - $150.9 -
1970 - - $141 -
1969 - - $133.3 -
1968 - - $128.7 -
1967 - - $121.9 -
1966 - - $119.8 -
1965 - - $106.9 -
1964 - - $111.3 -
1963 - - $107.4 -
1962 - - $104.6 -
1961 - - $99.3 -
1960 - - $102.8 -

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

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

Bulgaria's GDP per capita is $20,328, ranking 58/197, compared to $2,363 in Kenya, ranking 154/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Bulgaria ranks 54th at $41,969, while Kenya ranks 149th at $6,644.

Economic indicators

Bulgaria Kenya
Gross domestic product
$131B
2025
$136B
2025
GDP rank
63/197
2025
62/197
2025
GDP growth
3.1%
2024-2025
4.63%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$20,328
2025
$2,363
2025
GDP per capita rank
58/197
2025
154/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$41,969
2024
$6,644
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
54/197
2024
149/197
2024
Government debt
$35.4B
2025
$94.3B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
27.1%
2025
69.3%
2025
Government debt per person
$5,507
2025
$1,638
2025
Government debt per person rank
79/185
2025
126/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$16,126
2026
$2,538
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$11.2B
2025
$22.8B
2025
Number of billionaires
2
2026
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
31.1%
2023
30.9%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
2.1%
2023
2.9%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
38.9%
2025
24%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
3.5%
2024-2025
4.07%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
1.81%
2025
8.75%
2026
Unemployment rate
3.5%
2025
5.44%
2022
Population
6390149
59218766

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Bulgaria
Spending

Debt
Kenya
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Bulgaria Kenya
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 38.9% 27.1% 24% 69.3%
2024 36.3% 23.8% 23.2% 67.3%
2023 37.5% 22.9% 22.6% 73.4%
2022 37.6% 22.5% 23.1% 67.8%
2021 38.5% 23.9% 24% 68.2%
2020 37.7% 22.7% 24.8% 68%
2019 36.1% 18.4% 24.4% 59.1%
2018 34.4% 20.1% 24.5% 56.4%
2017 32% 22.9% 25.2% 53.9%
2016 32.7% 27% 25.3% 50.4%
2015 37.3% 25.4% 23.8% 45.8%
2014 37.1% 26.3% 23.4% 41.3%
2013 35.5% 17.2% 23.2% 39.8%
2012 32.5% 16.5% 22.1% 37.6%
2011 32% 14.3% 20.1% 35.7%
2010 34.6% 14.1% 21.5% 36.7%
2009 33.8% 14.5% 20.3% 36%
2008 33.5% 14.7% 18.9% 34.3%
2007 33.1% 17.6% 18.1% 34.2%
2006 32.5% 22.6% 17.3% 37.1%
2005 34% 28.5% 16.2% 37.4%
2004 34.6% 37.8% 15.4% 40.8%
2003 35.8% 45.4% 16% 43.8%
2002 35.1% 53.4% 15.7% 42%
2001 36.5% 67.1% 14.9% 41.3%
2000 37.1% 73.3% 14.1% 43.1%
1999 36.2% 78.7% 13.7% 38.4%
1998 30.6% 67.3% 15.3% 38.5%
1997 32.9% 88.4% 15.6% 36%
1996 44% 113.8% 15.2% 40.5%
1995 45.4% 72% 17.3% 52.1%
1994 - - 18.8% 57%
1993 - - 18.9% 61.6%
1992 - - 17.6% 41.2%
1991 - - 16.4% 43%
1990 - - 17.2% 37.6%
1989 - - 16.3% 33.4%
1988 - - 15.9% 33.9%
1987 - - 15.5% 36.3%
1986 - - 15.3% 31.3%
1985 - - 15.6% 28.8%
1984 - - 14.9% 25.6%
1983 - - 14.6% 26.1%
1982 - - 16.2% 26.9%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1982–1997, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Bulgaria's government spending was $50.8B, accounting for 38.9% of its GDP, while Kenya spent $32.6B, or 24% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 27.1% in Bulgaria and 69.3% in Kenya, ranking 164/185 and 59/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Bulgaria

Kenya
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Bulgaria Kenya
2025 -3.01% -6.41%
2024 -3.01% -5.74%
2023 -3.04% -5.61%
2022 -0.8% -6.01%
2021 -2.8% -7.2%
2020 -2.92% -8.13%
2019 -0.96% -7.4%
2018 0.12% -6.91%
2017 0.82% -7.37%
2016 1.54% -7.45%
2015 -2.77% -6.68%
2014 -3.65% -5.75%
2013 -1.75% -5.25%
2012 -0.43% -5.29%
2011 -1.83% -3.64%
2010 -3.77% -3.67%
2009 -0.86% -3.12%
2008 2.73% -1.95%
2007 3.09% -0.95%
2006 3.22% -0.43%
2005 2.19% -0.19%
2004 1.59% 0.5%
2003 0.003% -0.73%
2002 -0.61% -1.29%
2001 -0.58% -0.53%
2000 -0.6% 0.38%
1999 0.15% 0.84%
1998 1.08% -0.03%
1997 0.83% -0.91%
1996 -10.1% -0.49%
1995 -7.98% -0.23%
1994 - -4.14%
1993 - -8.57%
1992 - -8.28%
1991 - -6.56%
1990 - -3.28%
1989 - -2.39%
1988 - -1.97%
1987 - -2.27%
1986 - -2.98%
1985 - -3.05%
1984 - -2.55%
1983 - -2.17%
1982 - -3.07%
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 (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1924–1997, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/bulgaria/kenya | 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 Kenya's deficit of $8.72B, or 6.41% of GDP.

Over the past 31 years, Bulgaria recorded a fiscal deficit in 19 of those years, while Kenya ran a deficit in 28 years. On average, Bulgaria posted an annual deficit equal to 1.1% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.47% of GDP for Kenya.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Bulgaria

Kenya
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Bulgaria Kenya
2025 3.5% 4.07%
2024 2.6% 4.49%
2023 8.6% 7.67%
2022 13% 7.66%
2021 2.8% 6.11%
2020 1.2% 5.41%
2019 2.5% 5.24%
2018 2.6% 4.69%
2017 1.2% 8.01%
2016 -1.3% 6.3%
2015 -1.1% 6.58%
2014 -1.6% 6.88%
2013 0.4% 5.72%
2012 2.4% 9.38%
2011 3.4% 14%
2010 3% 3.96%
2009 2.5% 9.23%
2008 12% 26.2%
2007 7.6% 9.76%
2006 7.4% 14.5%
2005 6% 10.3%
2004 6.1% 11.6%
2003 2.3% 9.82%
2002 5.8% 1.96%
2001 7.4% 5.74%
2000 10.3% 9.98%
1999 2.6% 5.74%
1998 18.7% 6.72%
1997 1,061% 11.4%

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/kenya | CC BY

Over the past 29 years, Bulgaria has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 41.1%, compared with 8.25% in Kenya. In 2025, inflation was 3.5% in Bulgaria and 4.07% in Kenya.

Top exports between countries

Bulgaria
Export category Export value
Wood & paper products $744K
Machinery & equipment $673K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $583K
Textiles & consumer goods $404K
Chemicals & pharma $329K
Metals $257K
Raw materials & minerals $108K
Raw agricultural goods $71K
Precious metals & jewellery $16K
Miscellaneous $6K
Kenya
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $440K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $289K
Machinery & equipment $111K
Textiles & consumer goods $72K
Wood & paper products $19K
Raw materials & minerals $5K
Chemicals & pharma $3K
Precious metals & jewellery $1K

Balance of trade

Bulgaria Kenya
Current account balance
-$7.64B
2025
-$1.55B
2024
Current account balance ranking
170/190
2025
130/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-5.84%
2025
-1.29%
2024
Goods imports
$58.5B
2025
$22.2B
2024
Goods exports
$47.9B
2025
$12.5B
2024
Service imports
$9.42B
2025
$5.64B
2024
Service exports
$18.6B
2025
$8.04B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
51.8%
2025
21.8%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
50.7%
2025
15.8%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Bulgaria Kenya
Economic freedom 68.9 55.5
Economic freedom ranking 44/197 128/197
Property rights 75.8 40.2
Government integrity 48.4 32.7
Judicial effectiveness 58.5 47
Tax burden 89.1 76.3
Government spending 58.4 84.1
Fiscal health 90.4 36.2
Business freedom 78.2 61.5
Labor freedom 62.4 56.5
Monetary freedom 75.8 75.1
Trade freedom 79.4 52
Investment freedom 60 55
Financial freedom 50 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Bulgaria
Kenya
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Bulgaria Kenya
2026 68.9 55.5
2025 68.8 54.8
2024 68.5 53.6
2023 69.3 52.5
2022 71 52.6
2021 70.4 54.9
2020 70.2 55.3
2019 69 55.1
2018 68.3 54.7
2017 67.9 53.5
2016 65.9 57.5
2015 66.8 55.6
2014 65.7 57.1
2013 65 55.9
2012 64.7 57.5
2011 64.9 57.4
2010 62.3 57.5
2009 64.6 58.7
2008 63.7 59.3
2007 62.7 59.6
2006 64.1 59.7
2005 62.3 57.9
2004 59.2 57.7
2003 57 58.6
2002 57.1 58.2
2001 51.9 57.6
2000 47.3 59.7
1999 46.2 58.2
1998 45.7 58.4
1997 47.6 60.1
1996 48.6 56.4
1995 50 54.5

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Bulgaria is 68.9, ranking 44/197, compared to 55.5 for Kenya, ranking 128/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Bulgaria Kenya
Services, % of GDP
63.3%
2025
55.1%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
21.2%
2025
16.3%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
2.47%
2025
23.2%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$114B
2025
$127B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$42,170
2025
$6,910
2025
Total reserves including gold
$47.1B
2025
$12.4B
2025
Total reserves ranking
51/177
2025
76/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$3.37B
2025
-$45.8M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$3.05B
2024
$463M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$1.21B
2024
$418M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
6.8%
2024
4.82%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
21.7%
2023
39.8%
2022
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
21.7%
2025
17%
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/kenya | 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 (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1924–1997, 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)

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.