Skip to content

Economy of Bulgaria vs Pakistan compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Bulgaria has a GDP of $113B compared to $372B for Pakistan, ranking 67/197 and 43/197 by economy size, respectively.

Bulgaria has $27.3B in government debt (24.1% of GDP), compared to $262B (70.4% of GDP) in Pakistan.

Bulgaria vs Pakistan GDP by year

Bulgaria
Pakistan
1x
Year GDP, current $
Bulgaria Pakistan
2024 $113,343,355,780 $371,570,000,121
2023 $102,199,231,385 $336,686,348,609
2022 $90,506,153,294 $374,890,295,667
2021 $84,374,613,233 $348,516,647,445
2020 $70,486,877,546 $300,425,609,818
2019 $68,507,731,354 $320,909,472,771
2018 $66,097,226,262 $356,128,166,705
2017 $59,167,647,388 $339,205,534,861
2016 $53,929,397,039 $313,630,000,130
2015 $50,765,918,159 $299,963,590,535
2014 $57,080,897,012 $271,390,474,858
2013 $55,819,262,375 $258,657,231,672
2012 $54,297,052,002 $250,106,966,105
2011 $57,681,293,007 $230,586,581,060
2010 $50,689,051,382 $196,709,621,850
2009 $52,023,801,230 $187,337,783,856
2008 $54,480,684,188 $202,203,748,584
2007 $44,431,257,129 $184,140,869,997
2006 $34,380,536,496 $161,871,385,506
2005 $29,868,657,858 $145,208,562,961
2004 $26,157,743,369 $132,216,048,339
2003 $21,144,957,990 $112,371,913,741
2002 $16,403,043,850 $97,923,302,809
2001 $14,183,446,026 $97,145,618,480
2000 $13,245,990,274 $99,484,802,345
1999 $13,637,098,579 $62,973,857,069
1998 $15,031,055,047 $62,191,955,814
1997 $11,316,127,379 $62,433,340,468
1996 $12,294,964,838 $63,320,170,084
1995 $18,991,484,420 $60,636,071,684
1994 $9,709,240,034 $52,293,470,813
1993 $10,832,064,942 $51,809,999,353
1992 $8,602,887,623 $48,884,671,947
1991 $7,628,738,475 $45,625,336,680
1990 $20,632,090,909 $40,010,423,970
1989 $21,988,444,444 $40,171,106,279
1988 $22,555,941,176 $38,472,742,808
1987 $28,101,000,000 $33,351,529,275
1986 $20,249,294,118 $31,899,070,056
1985 $17,155,421,053 $31,144,920,844
1984 $17,594,944,444 $31,151,825,467
1983 $16,563,666,667 $28,691,889,764
1982 $19,342,000,000 $30,725,971,564
1981 $19,870,000,000 $28,100,606,061
1980 $19,839,230,769 $23,654,444,444
1979 - $19,688,383,838
1978 - $17,811,515,152
1977 - $15,126,060,606
1976 - $13,168,080,808
1975 - $11,230,606,061
1974 - $8,899,191,919
1973 - $6,383,429,490
1972 - $9,415,016,360
1971 - $10,665,896,682
1970 - $10,027,509,450
1969 - $8,683,116,338
1968 - $8,041,999,160
1967 - $7,464,510,710
1966 - $6,561,108,778
1965 - $5,929,231,415
1964 - $5,204,955,901
1963 - $4,630,827,383
1962 - $4,310,163,797
1961 - $4,118,647,627
1960 - $3,749,265,015

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

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

GDP per capita in Bulgaria vs Pakistan by year

Bulgaria
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Pakistan
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Bulgaria Pakistan
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $17,596 $41,969 $1,479 $6,252
2023 $15,853 $38,829 $1,360 $6,014
2022 $13,999 $36,320 $1,538 $5,920
2021 $12,966 $30,959 $1,455 $5,367
2020 $10,760 $27,352 $1,278 $5,048
2019 $10,354 $26,766 $1,390 $5,038
2018 $9,849 $23,998 $1,569 $4,979
2017 $8,697 $22,317 $1,519 $4,790
2016 $7,822 $20,746 $1,425 $4,631
2015 $7,269 $18,896 $1,380 $4,480
2014 $8,070 $17,991 $1,267 $4,313
2013 $7,796 $16,894 $1,225 $4,174
2012 $7,432 $16,327 $1,204 $4,047
2011 $7,850 $15,747 $1,132 $3,880
2010 $6,854 $14,954 $987 $3,786
2009 $6,988 $14,188 $964 $3,777
2008 $7,271 $14,347 $1,067 $3,721
2007 $5,889 $12,822 $998 $3,672
2006 $4,523 $11,406 $901 $3,515
2005 $3,900 $10,291 $828 $3,293
2004 $3,390 $9,200 $772 $3,048
2003 $2,719 $8,416 $672 $2,822
2002 $2,093 $7,786 $600 $2,688
2001 $1,771 $6,960 $610 $2,644
2000 $1,621 $6,424 $642 $2,565
1999 $1,661 $5,808 $418 $2,475
1998 $1,820 $6,178 $424 $2,419
1997 $1,361 $5,751 $438 $2,398
1996 $1,470 $6,849 $457 $2,401
1995 $2,259 $7,743 $451 $2,315
1994 $1,150 $7,338 $400 $2,224
1993 $1,279 $7,032 $408 $2,160
1992 $1,007 $6,917 $396 $2,132
1991 $884 $7,215 $380 $1,992
1990 $2,367 $7,548 $344 $1,895
1989 $2,477 - $358 -
1988 $2,511 - $354 -
1987 $3,132 - $317 -
1986 $2,260 - $314 -
1985 $1,915 - $317 -
1984 $1,964 - $327 -
1983 $1,853 - $311 -
1982 $2,169 - $345 -
1981 $2,235 - $328 -
1980 $2,239 - $287.4 -
1979 - - $249.2 -
1978 - - $233.4 -
1977 - - $204.7 -
1976 - - $183.9 -
1975 - - $161.7 -
1974 - - $132 -
1973 - - $97.5 -
1972 - - $148.1 -
1971 - - $172.5 -
1970 - - $166.7 -
1969 - - $148.5 -
1968 - - $141.6 -
1967 - - $135.2 -
1966 - - $122.2 -
1965 - - $113.6 -
1964 - - $102.5 -
1963 - - $93.7 -
1962 - - $89.5 -
1961 - - $87.8 -
1960 - - $82 -

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

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

Bulgaria's GDP per capita is $17,596, ranking 64/197, compared to $1,479 in Pakistan, ranking 163/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Bulgaria ranks 54th at $41,969, while Pakistan ranks 150th at $6,252.

Economic indicators

Bulgaria Pakistan
Gross domestic product
$113B
2024
$372B
2024
GDP rank
67/197
2024
43/197
2024
GDP growth
3.39%
2023-2024
3.05%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$17,596
2024
$1,479
2024
GDP per capita rank
64/197
2024
163/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$41,969
2024
$6,252
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
54/197
2024
150/197
2024
Government debt
$27.3B
2024
$262B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
24.1%
2024
70.4%
2024
Government debt per person
$4,237
2024
$1,041
2024
Government debt per person rank
90/185
2024
140/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$14,263
2026
$1,668
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$8.41B
2024
$52.1B
2024
Number of billionaires
2
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
31.1%
2023
25.5%
2018
Income share by poorest 10%
2.1%
2023
4.2%
2018
Government expenditure, % of GDP
36.7%
2024
19.5%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.6%
2023-2024
12.6%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
1.81%
2025
10.5%
2025
Unemployment rate
4.17%
2024
6.96%
2025
Population
6359449
260356147

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Bulgaria
Spending

Debt
Pakistan
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Bulgaria Pakistan
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 36.7% 24.1% 19.5% 70.4%
2023 37.4% 22.9% 19.3% 78.5%
2022 37.6% 22.5% 20% 77.3%
2021 38.4% 23.8% 18.5% 74.7%
2020 37.6% 22.7% 20.3% 80.8%
2019 36% 18.4% 19.1% 78.7%
2018 34.4% 20.1% 19.1% 66.3%
2017 32% 22.9% 19.1% 62.1%
2016 32.7% 27% 17.7% 62.1%
2015 37.3% 25.4% 17.8% 59.1%
2014 37.1% 26.3% 18.1% 58.8%
2013 35.5% 17.2% 19.5% 59.2%
2012 32.5% 16.5% 19.4% 58.4%
2011 32% 14.3% 17.9% 56.2%
2010 34.6% 14.1% 18.3% 56.7%
2009 33.8% 14.5% 17.3% 54.6%
2008 33.5% 14.7% 18% 49.5%
2007 33.1% 17.6% 16.1% 44.2%
2006 32.5% 22.6% 14.5% 46.2%
2005 34% 28.5% 13% 47.9%
2004 34.6% 37.8% 12.1% 50.6%
2003 35.8% 45.4% 12.9% 56.3%
2002 35.1% 53.4% 14.4% 60.5%
2001 36.5% 67.1% 12.9% 65.1%
2000 37.1% 73.3% 13.8% 61.7%
1999 36.2% 78.7% 13.2% 60.7%
1998 30.6% 67.3% 14.1% 53.8%
1997 32.9% 88.4% 13.7% 52.8%
1996 44% 113.8% 15% 52.5%
1995 45.4% 72% 14% 52.3%
1994 - - 14.5% 58.5%
1993 - - 17% 57.9%
1992 - - 22.6% 53.3%
1991 - - 21.4% 55.8%
1990 - - 23.9% 48.3%
1989 - - 26.1% 46.6%
1988 - - 27.9% 45%
1987 - - 29.5% 44.4%
1986 - - 27.6% 43.1%
1985 - - 28.3% 37%
1984 - - 25.4% 33.4%
1983 - - 24.8% 33.6%
1982 - - 24.5% 33.8%
1981 - - 21.6% 29.7%
1980 - - 22% 33.3%
1979 - - 25.3% 36.8%
1978 - - 25.5% 36.1%
1977 - - 20.4% 36.4%
1976 - - 21% 35.8%
1975 - - 20.4% 32.1%
1974 - - 15.3% 38%
1973 - - 13.9% 43.4%
1972 - - 13.5% 88.7%
1971 - - 22.1% 33.2%
1970 - - 23.6% 31.6%
1969 - - 15.6% 29.1%
1968 - - 13.7% 27.5%
1967 - - 12.9% 25.9%
1966 - - 12.2% 25.1%
1965 - - 11.2% 22.7%
1964 - - 12.1% 21.3%
1963 - - 14.7% 19.2%
1962 - - 11.8% 16.6%
1961 - - 10.6% 19.6%
1960 - - 10% 19.5%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1993–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1997, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Bulgaria's government spending was $41.5B, accounting for 36.7% of its GDP, while Pakistan spent $72.4B, or 19.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 24.1% in Bulgaria and 70.4% in Pakistan, ranking 169/185 and 56/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Bulgaria

Pakistan
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Bulgaria Pakistan
2024 -3.04% -6.81%
2023 -3.03% -7.76%
2022 -0.8% -7.84%
2021 -2.8% -6.04%
2020 -2.92% -7.03%
2019 -0.96% -7.79%
2018 0.12% -5.67%
2017 0.82% -5.17%
2016 1.54% -3.92%
2015 -2.77% -4.74%
2014 -3.65% -4.37%
2013 -1.75% -7.48%
2012 -0.43% -7.74%
2011 -1.83% -6.23%
2010 -3.77% -5.42%
2009 -0.86% -4.53%
2008 2.73% -5.94%
2007 3.09% -4.23%
2006 3.22% -2.79%
2005 2.19% -2.29%
2004 1.59% -1.29%
2003 0.003% -0.12%
2002 -0.61% -2.64%
2001 -0.58% -2.45%
2000 -0.6% -3.21%
1999 0.15% -3.07%
1998 1.08% -4.46%
1997 0.83% -3.87%
1996 -10.1% -4.33%
1995 -7.98% -3.9%
1994 - -3.63%
1993 - -5.53%
1992 - -11.3%
1991 - -10.8%
1990 - -11.9%
1989 - -7.01%
1988 - -9.35%
1987 - -11.7%
1986 - -9.79%
1985 - -10.6%
1984 - -8.9%
1983 - -7.55%
1982 - -8.24%
1981 - -5.83%
1980 - -5.32%
1979 - -11.6%
1978 - -12.4%
1977 - -8.74%
1976 - -9.05%
1975 - -8.97%
1974 - -4.45%
1973 - -3.99%
1972 - -3.16%
1971 - -7.45%
1970 - -10.8%
1969 - -7.08%
1968 - -5.56%
1967 - -4.27%
1966 - -4.48%
1965 - -3.28%
1964 - -4.89%
1963 - -6.55%
1962 - -3.39%
1961 - -4.6%
1960 - -3.83%
1959 - -3.71%
1958 - -4.2%
1957 - -2.21%
1956 - -2.36%
1955 - -2%
1954 - -3.18%
1953 - -2.66%
1952 - -0.73%
1951 - 0.63%
1950 - -1.24%
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 (1924–1997, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/bulgaria/pakistan | 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 Pakistan's deficit of $25.3B, or 6.81% of GDP.

Over the past 30 years, Bulgaria recorded a fiscal deficit in 18 of those years, while Pakistan ran a deficit in 30 years. On average, Bulgaria posted an annual deficit equal to 1.04% of GDP, compared to deficit of 4.77% of GDP for Pakistan.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Bulgaria

Pakistan
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Bulgaria Pakistan
2024 2.6% 12.6%
2023 8.6% 30.8%
2022 13% 19.9%
2021 2.8% 9.5%
2020 1.2% 9.74%
2019 2.5% 10.6%
2018 2.6% 5.08%
2017 1.2% 4.09%
2016 -1.3% 3.77%
2015 -1.1% 2.53%
2014 -1.6% 7.19%
2013 0.4% 7.69%
2012 2.4% 9.68%
2011 3.4% 11.9%
2010 3% 12.9%
2009 2.5% 13.6%
2008 12% 20.3%
2007 7.6% 7.6%
2006 7.4% 7.92%
2005 6% 9.06%
2004 6.1% 7.44%
2003 2.3% 2.91%
2002 5.8% 3.29%
2001 7.4% 3.15%
2000 10.3% 4.37%
1999 2.6% 4.14%
1998 18.7% 6.23%
1997 1,061% 11.4%

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/pakistan | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Bulgaria has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 42.5%, compared with 9.26% in Pakistan. In 2024, inflation was 2.6% in Bulgaria and 12.6% in Pakistan.

Top exports between countries

Bulgaria
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $25M
Textiles & consumer goods $4.44M
Machinery & equipment $4.34M
Wood & paper products $2.37M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $1.08M
Chemicals & pharma $676K
Raw materials & minerals $405K
Metals $318K
Animal & marine products $32K
Miscellaneous $4K
Pakistan
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $31.6M
Chemicals & pharma $14.5M
Machinery & equipment $1.18M
Raw agricultural goods $777K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $701K
Animal & marine products $237K
Raw materials & minerals $171K
Metals $119K
Wood & paper products $29K
Miscellaneous $22K

Balance of trade

Bulgaria Pakistan
Current account balance
-$1.74B
2024
$496M
2024
Current account balance ranking
138/190
2024
63/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-1.54%
2024
+0.13%
2024
Goods imports
$52.8B
2024
$55.6B
2024
Goods exports
$47.3B
2024
$32.1B
2024
Service imports
$8.26B
2024
$11.2B
2024
Service exports
$16.6B
2024
$8.1B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
53.9%
2024
17.2%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
56.4%
2024
10.4%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Bulgaria Pakistan
Economic freedom 68.9 48.9
Economic freedom ranking 44/197 168/197
Property rights 75.8 25.7
Government integrity 48.4 26.3
Judicial effectiveness 58.5 27.6
Tax burden 89.1 78.2
Government spending 58.4 88.5
Fiscal health 90.4 10.1
Business freedom 78.2 54.4
Labor freedom 62.4 51.7
Monetary freedom 75.8 54.1
Trade freedom 79.4 70.4
Investment freedom 60 60
Financial freedom 50 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Bulgaria
Pakistan
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Bulgaria Pakistan
2026 68.9 48.9
2025 68.8 49.1
2024 68.5 49.5
2023 69.3 49.4
2022 71 48.8
2021 70.4 51.7
2020 70.2 54.8
2019 69 55
2018 68.3 54.4
2017 67.9 52.8
2016 65.9 55.9
2015 66.8 55.6
2014 65.7 55.2
2013 65 55.1
2012 64.7 54.7
2011 64.9 55.1
2010 62.3 55.2
2009 64.6 57
2008 63.7 55.6
2007 62.7 57.2
2006 64.1 57.9
2005 62.3 53.3
2004 59.2 54.9
2003 57 55
2002 57.1 55.8
2001 51.9 56
2000 47.3 56.4
1999 46.2 53
1998 45.7 53.2
1997 47.6 56
1996 48.6 58.4
1995 50 57.6

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Bulgaria is 68.9, ranking 44/197, compared to 48.9 for Pakistan, ranking 168/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Bulgaria Pakistan
Services, % of GDP
63.8%
2024
50.7%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
21.1%
2024
20.2%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
2.35%
2024
23.7%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$99B
2024
$358B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$39,850
2024
$6,100
2024
Total reserves including gold
$43.7B
2024
$18.4B
2024
Total reserves ranking
47/177
2024
63/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$2.22B
2024
-$2.58B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$3.55B
2024
$2.66B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$1.13B
2024
$84M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
6.8%
2024
4.5%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
21.7%
2023
21.9%
2018
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
20.4%
2024
13.2%
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/pakistan | 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 (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1924–1997, 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 (2021–2024, 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.