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Economy of Bulgaria vs Qatar compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Bulgaria has a GDP of $113B compared to $219B for Qatar, ranking 67/197 and 56/197 by economy size, respectively.

Bulgaria has $27.3B in government debt (24.1% of GDP), compared to $90.2B (41.2% of GDP) in Qatar.

Bulgaria vs Qatar GDP by year

Bulgaria
Qatar
1x
Year GDP, current $
Bulgaria Qatar
2024 $113,343,355,780 $219,162,637,363
2023 $102,199,231,385 $217,308,516,484
2022 $90,506,153,294 $235,709,340,659
2021 $84,374,613,233 $179,732,142,857
2020 $70,486,877,546 $144,411,538,462
2019 $68,507,731,354 $176,371,428,571
2018 $66,097,226,262 $183,335,164,835
2017 $59,167,647,388 $161,099,175,824
2016 $53,929,397,039 $151,732,142,857
2015 $50,765,918,159 $161,739,835,165
2014 $57,080,897,012 $206,224,725,275
2013 $55,819,262,375 $198,727,747,253
2012 $54,297,052,002 $186,833,516,484
2011 $57,681,293,007 $167,775,274,725
2010 $50,689,051,382 $123,627,197,802
2009 $52,023,801,230 $97,798,351,648
2008 $54,480,684,188 $115,270,054,945
2007 $44,431,257,129 $79,712,087,912
2006 $34,380,536,496 $60,882,142,857
2005 $29,868,657,858 $44,530,494,505
2004 $26,157,743,369 $31,734,065,934
2003 $21,144,957,990 $23,533,791,209
2002 $16,403,043,850 $19,363,736,264
2001 $14,183,446,026 $17,538,461,538
2000 $13,245,990,274 $17,759,890,110
1999 $13,637,098,579 $12,393,131,868
1998 $15,031,055,047 $10,255,495,027
1997 $11,316,127,379 $11,297,802,115
1996 $12,294,964,838 $9,059,340,385
1995 $18,991,484,420 $8,137,911,978
1994 $9,709,240,034 $7,374,450,769
1993 $10,832,064,942 $7,156,593,654
1992 $8,602,887,623 $7,646,153,984
1991 $7,628,738,475 $6,883,516,484
1990 $20,632,090,909 $7,360,439,423
1989 $21,988,444,444 $6,487,912,088
1988 $22,555,941,176 $6,038,187,033
1987 $28,101,000,000 $5,446,428,681
1986 $20,249,294,118 $5,053,021,951
1985 $17,155,421,053 $6,153,296,456
1984 $17,594,944,444 $6,704,395,824
1983 $16,563,666,667 $6,467,582,308
1982 $19,342,000,000 $7,596,703,214
1981 $19,870,000,000 $8,661,263,764
1980 $19,839,230,769 $7,829,165,262
1979 - $5,632,962,997
1978 - $4,052,000,413
1977 - $3,617,564,638
1976 - $3,284,273,987
1975 - $2,512,773,166
1974 - $2,401,403,227
1973 - $793,885,560
1972 - $510,262,500
1971 - $387,703,106
1970 - $301,791,302

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1970–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

GDP per capita in Bulgaria vs Qatar by year

Bulgaria
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Qatar
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Bulgaria Qatar
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $17,596 $41,969 $76,689 $126,046
2023 $15,853 $38,829 $81,817 $129,368
2022 $13,999 $36,320 $88,701 $122,921
2021 $12,966 $30,959 $71,752 $116,833
2020 $10,760 $27,352 $51,684 $82,149
2019 $10,354 $26,766 $66,841 $107,503
2018 $9,849 $23,998 $71,040 $110,033
2017 $8,697 $22,317 $63,280 $99,358
2016 $7,822 $20,746 $61,254 $89,935
2015 $7,269 $18,896 $68,985 $102,546
2014 $8,070 $17,991 $95,841 $148,389
2013 $7,796 $16,894 $103,697 $169,203
2012 $7,432 $16,327 $108,470 $180,939
2011 $7,850 $15,747 $103,262 $174,620
2010 $6,854 $14,954 $76,463 $151,646
2009 $6,988 $14,188 $60,786 $125,898
2008 $7,271 $14,347 $80,781 $126,015
2007 $5,889 $12,822 $65,954 $124,056
2006 $4,523 $11,406 $62,582 $127,181
2005 $3,900 $10,291 $53,950 $115,250
2004 $3,390 $9,200 $41,036 $110,958
2003 $2,719 $8,416 $31,602 $94,120
2002 $2,093 $7,786 $27,227 $93,177
2001 $1,771 $6,960 $25,871 $89,805
2000 $1,621 $6,424 $27,535 $88,849
1999 $1,661 $5,808 $20,234 $84,690
1998 $1,820 $6,178 $17,665 $84,486
1997 $1,361 $5,751 $20,523 $79,219
1996 $1,470 $6,849 $17,125 $62,331
1995 $2,259 $7,743 $15,823 $60,321
1994 $1,150 $7,338 $14,765 $59,415
1993 $1,279 $7,032 $14,770 $59,125
1992 $1,007 $6,917 $16,280 $60,387
1991 $884 $7,215 $15,133 $54,759
1990 $2,367 $7,548 $16,722 $55,659
1989 $2,477 - $15,243 -
1988 $2,511 - $14,682 -
1987 $3,132 - $13,719 -
1986 $2,260 - $13,213 -
1985 $1,915 - $16,815 -
1984 $1,964 - $19,272 -
1983 $1,853 - $19,616 -
1982 $2,169 - $24,385 -
1981 $2,235 - $29,505 -
1980 $2,239 - $28,375 -
1979 - - $21,777 -
1978 - - $16,757 -
1977 - - $16,058 -
1976 - - $15,710 -
1975 - - $13,014 -
1974 - - $13,540 -
1973 - - $4,905 -
1972 - - $3,483 -
1971 - - $2,952 -
1970 - - $2,594 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1970–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Bulgaria's GDP per capita is $17,596, ranking 64/197, compared to $76,689 in Qatar, ranking 11/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Bulgaria ranks 54th at $41,969, while Qatar ranks 5th at $126,046.

Economic indicators

Bulgaria Qatar
Gross domestic product
$113B
2024
$219B
2024
GDP rank
67/197
2024
56/197
2024
GDP growth
3.39%
2023-2024
2.36%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$17,596
2024
$76,689
2024
GDP per capita rank
64/197
2024
11/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$41,969
2024
$126,046
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
54/197
2024
5/197
2024
Government debt
$27.3B
2024
$90.2B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
24.1%
2024
41.2%
2024
Government debt per person
$4,237
2024
$31,579
2024
Government debt per person rank
90/185
2024
23/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$14,263
2026
$35,660
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$8.41B
2024
$170M
2024
Number of millionaires n/a
26,163
2025
Number of billionaires
2
2025
2
2025
Income share by richest 10%
31.1%
2023
25.8%
2017
Income share by poorest 10%
2.1%
2023
2.6%
2017
Government expenditure, % of GDP
36.7%
2024
26%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.6%
2023-2024
1.27%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
1.81%
2025
4.1%
2025
Unemployment rate
4.17%
2024
0.13%
2022
Population
6359449
2999260

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Bulgaria
Spending

Debt
Qatar
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Bulgaria Qatar
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 36.7% 24.1% 26% 41.2%
2023 37.4% 22.9% 27.3% 43.7%
2022 37.6% 22.5% 24.3% 42.6%
2021 38.4% 23.8% 29.4% 58.4%
2020 37.6% 22.7% 34.7% 72.6%
2019 36% 18.4% 32.5% 62.1%
2018 34.4% 20.1% 28.9% 52.2%
2017 32% 22.9% 34.7% 51.6%
2016 32.7% 27% 40.1% 46.7%
2015 37.3% 25.4% 38.6% 35.5%
2014 37.1% 26.3% 32.3% 24.9%
2013 35.5% 17.2% 28.3% 30.9%
2012 32.5% 16.5% 31% 32.1%
2011 32% 14.3% 28.5% 33.5%
2010 34.6% 14.1% 32% 30.4%
2009 33.8% 14.5% 36.4% 36%
2008 33.5% 14.7% 23.5% 11.4%
2007 33.1% 17.6% 29.5% 9.37%
2006 32.5% 22.6% 29.5% 13.9%
2005 34% 28.5% 29% 19.1%
2004 34.6% 37.8% 29.9% 30.1%
2003 35.8% 45.4% 28.5% 38.8%
2002 35.1% 53.4% 31.6% 47.7%
2001 36.5% 67.1% 32.1% 59.2%
2000 37.1% 73.3% 29.8% 51.6%
1999 36.2% 78.7% 42.4% 81.8%
1998 30.6% 67.3% 55.1% 76.6%
1997 32.9% 88.4% 47.6% 54.4%
1996 44% 113.8% 55.2% 57.8%
1995 45.4% 72% 52.2% 50.2%
1994 - - 59.8% 54.8%
1993 - - 62.8% 46.3%
1992 - - 54.2% 19.9%
1991 - - 57.5% 21.8%
1990 - - 50% 12.6%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1995–1997, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Bulgaria's government spending was $41.5B, accounting for 36.7% of its GDP, while Qatar spent $56.9B, or 26% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 24.1% in Bulgaria and 41.2% in Qatar, ranking 169/185 and 130/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Bulgaria

Qatar
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Bulgaria Qatar
2024 -3.04% 0.69%
2023 -3.03% 5.56%
2022 -0.8% 10.4%
2021 -2.8% 0.24%
2020 -2.92% -2.13%
2019 -0.96% 1%
2018 0.12% 2.26%
2017 0.82% -6.82%
2016 1.54% -9.2%
2015 -2.77% 18.4%
2014 -3.65% 13.4%
2013 -1.75% 19.3%
2012 -0.43% 8.55%
2011 -1.83% 5.24%
2010 -3.77% 4.6%
2009 -0.86% 14.1%
2008 2.73% 9.49%
2007 3.09% 10.3%
2006 3.22% 8.39%
2005 2.19% 9.8%
2004 1.59% 17.7%
2003 0.003% 6.71%
2002 -0.61% 7.89%
2001 -0.58% 4.48%
2000 -0.6% 4.62%
1999 0.15% -4.35%
1998 1.08% -7%
1997 0.83% -9.4%
1996 -10.1% -8.73%
1995 -7.98% -5.78%
1994 - -11.8%
1993 - -9.53%
1992 - -2.74%
1991 - -2.57%
1990 - 3.23%
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 (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1924–1997, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/bulgaria/qatar | 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 Qatar's surplus of $1.52B, or 0.69% of GDP.

Over the past 30 years, Bulgaria recorded a fiscal deficit in 18 of those years, while Qatar ran a deficit in 8 years. On average, Bulgaria posted an annual deficit equal to 1.04% of GDP, compared to surplus of 4.32% of GDP for Qatar.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Bulgaria

Qatar
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Bulgaria Qatar
2024 2.6% 1.27%
2023 8.6% 3.03%
2022 13% 5%
2021 2.8% 2.3%
2020 1.2% -2.54%
2019 2.5% -0.67%
2018 2.6% 0.26%
2017 1.2% 0.39%
2016 -1.3% 2.68%
2015 -1.1% 1.81%
2014 -1.6% 3.35%
2013 0.4% 3.22%
2012 2.4% 2.32%
2011 3.4% 1.14%
2010 3% -2.43%
2009 2.5% -4.86%
2008 12% 15.1%
2007 7.6% 13.8%
2006 7.4% 11.8%
2005 6% 8.81%
2004 6.1% 6.8%
2003 2.3% 2.26%
2002 5.8% 0.24%
2001 7.4% 1.47%
2000 10.3% 1.65%
1999 2.6% 2.18%
1998 18.7% 2.95%
1997 1,061% 4.83%

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/qatar | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Bulgaria has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 42.5%, compared with 3.15% in Qatar. In 2024, inflation was 2.6% in Bulgaria and 1.27% in Qatar.

Top exports between countries

Bulgaria
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $11.7M
Textiles & consumer goods $2.73M
Raw agricultural goods $2.08M
Chemicals & pharma $1.1M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $617K
Animal & marine products $607K
Metals $587K
Raw materials & minerals $358K
Miscellaneous $62K
Wood & paper products $55K
Qatar
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $5.37M
Machinery & equipment $236K
Metals $67K
Wood & paper products $51K
Raw materials & minerals $14K

Balance of trade

Bulgaria Qatar
Current account balance
-$1.74B
2024
$37.9B
2024
Current account balance ranking
138/190
2024
16/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-1.54%
2024
+17.3%
2024
Goods imports
$52.8B
2024
$32.6B
2024
Goods exports
$47.3B
2024
$95B
2024
Service imports
$8.26B
2024
$37.1B
2024
Service exports
$16.6B
2024
$30.2B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
53.9%
2024
31.6%
2022
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
56.4%
2024
68.6%
2022

Economic freedom indices

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

Bulgaria Qatar
Economic freedom 68.9 70.2
Economic freedom ranking 44/197 37/197
Property rights 75.8 66.2
Government integrity 48.4 53.5
Judicial effectiveness 58.5 41.5
Tax burden 89.1 99.9
Government spending 58.4 79.9
Fiscal health 90.4 96.6
Business freedom 78.2 68
Labor freedom 62.4 58.5
Monetary freedom 75.8 76
Trade freedom 79.4 81.8
Investment freedom 60 60
Financial freedom 50 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Bulgaria
Qatar
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Bulgaria Qatar
2026 68.9 70.2
2025 68.8 70.2
2024 68.5 68.8
2023 69.3 68.6
2022 71 67.7
2021 70.4 72
2020 70.2 72.3
2019 69 72.6
2018 68.3 72.6
2017 67.9 73.1
2016 65.9 70.7
2015 66.8 70.8
2014 65.7 71.2
2013 65 71.3
2012 64.7 71.3
2011 64.9 70.5
2010 62.3 69
2009 64.6 65.8
2008 63.7 62.2
2007 62.7 62.9
2006 64.1 62.4
2005 62.3 63.5
2004 59.2 66.5
2003 57 65.9
2002 57.1 61.9
2001 51.9 60
2000 47.3 62
1999 46.2 62
1998 45.7 -
1997 47.6 -
1996 48.6 -
1995 50 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Bulgaria is 68.9, ranking 44/197, compared to 70.2 for Qatar, ranking 37/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Bulgaria Qatar
Services, % of GDP
63.8%
2024
46.1%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
21.1%
2024
58.2%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
2.35%
2024
0.29%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$99B
2024
$221B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$39,850
2024
$121,900
2024
Total reserves including gold
$43.7B
2024
$54B
2024
Total reserves ranking
47/177
2024
40/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$2.22B
2024
$1.1B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$3.55B
2024
$460M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$1.13B
2024
$1.56B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
6.8%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
21.7%
2023
n/a
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
20.4%
2024
30.6%
2022

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/qatar | CC BY

Compare countries by 7 more topics

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1970–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  4. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1924–1997, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. TradeMap (2020–2024, 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.