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Economy of Bulgaria vs Russia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Bulgaria has a GDP of $113B compared to $2.17T for Russia, ranking 67/197 and 11/197 by economy size, respectively.

Bulgaria has $27.3B in government debt (24.1% of GDP), compared to $440B (20.3% of GDP) in Russia.

Bulgaria vs Russia GDP by year

Bulgaria
Russia
1x
Year GDP, current $
Bulgaria Russia
2024 $113,343,355,780 $2,173,835,806,672
2023 $102,199,231,385 $2,071,505,725,031
2022 $90,506,153,294 $2,291,612,121,335
2021 $84,374,613,233 $1,829,186,719,575
2020 $70,486,877,546 $1,493,075,894,362
2019 $68,507,731,354 $1,693,115,002,708
2018 $66,097,226,262 $1,657,328,773,461
2017 $59,167,647,388 $1,574,199,360,089
2016 $53,929,397,039 $1,276,786,350,881
2015 $50,765,918,159 $1,363,482,182,198
2014 $57,080,897,012 $2,059,241,589,895
2013 $55,819,262,375 $2,292,470,078,346
2012 $54,297,052,002 $2,208,293,553,878
2011 $57,681,293,007 $2,045,922,753,398
2010 $50,689,051,382 $1,524,916,715,224
2009 $52,023,801,230 $1,222,645,900,056
2008 $54,480,684,188 $1,660,848,058,303
2007 $44,431,257,129 $1,299,703,478,482
2006 $34,380,536,496 $989,932,071,353
2005 $29,868,657,858 $764,015,973,481
2004 $26,157,743,369 $591,016,690,732
2003 $21,144,957,990 $430,347,420,185
2002 $16,403,043,850 $345,470,494,418
2001 $14,183,446,026 $306,602,070,621
2000 $13,245,990,274 $259,710,142,197
1999 $13,637,098,579 $195,907,128,351
1998 $15,031,055,047 $270,955,486,862
1997 $11,316,127,379 $404,928,954,192
1996 $12,294,964,838 $391,724,890,744
1995 $18,991,484,420 $395,537,185,735
1994 $9,709,240,034 $395,077,301,248
1993 $10,832,064,942 $435,083,713,851
1992 $8,602,887,623 $460,290,556,901
1991 $7,628,738,475 $517,962,962,963
1990 $20,632,090,909 $517,014,446,228
1989 $21,988,444,444 $506,631,299,735
1988 $22,555,941,176 $554,828,660,436
1987 $28,101,000,000 -
1986 $20,249,294,118 -
1985 $17,155,421,053 -
1984 $17,594,944,444 -
1983 $16,563,666,667 -
1982 $19,342,000,000 -
1981 $19,870,000,000 -
1980 $19,839,230,769 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1980–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

GDP per capita in Bulgaria vs Russia by year

Bulgaria
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Russia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Bulgaria Russia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $17,596 $41,969 $15,145 $47,405
2023 $15,853 $38,829 $14,403 $44,269
2022 $13,999 $36,320 $15,888 $40,939
2021 $12,966 $30,959 $12,637 $38,638
2020 $10,760 $27,352 $10,280 $31,491
2019 $10,354 $26,766 $11,640 $30,964
2018 $9,849 $23,998 $11,399 $28,629
2017 $8,697 $22,317 $10,835 $25,778
2016 $7,822 $20,746 $8,804 $24,012
2015 $7,269 $18,896 $9,427 $23,994
2014 $8,070 $17,991 $14,277 $25,688
2013 $7,796 $16,894 $15,941 $26,020
2012 $7,432 $16,327 $15,402 $24,274
2011 $7,850 $15,747 $14,305 $22,790
2010 $6,854 $14,954 $10,675 $20,490
2009 $6,988 $14,188 $8,563 $19,390
2008 $7,271 $14,347 $11,635 $20,164
2007 $5,889 $12,822 $9,101 $16,648
2006 $4,523 $11,406 $6,920 $14,912
2005 $3,900 $10,291 $5,323 $11,822
2004 $3,390 $9,200 $4,102 $10,227
2003 $2,719 $8,416 $2,975 $9,255
2002 $2,093 $7,786 $2,378 $8,037
2001 $1,771 $6,960 $2,100 $7,361
2000 $1,621 $6,424 $1,772 $6,825
1999 $1,661 $5,808 $1,331 $5,914
1998 $1,820 $6,178 $1,835 $5,465
1997 $1,361 $5,751 $2,738 $5,700
1996 $1,470 $6,849 $2,644 $5,518
1995 $2,259 $7,743 $2,666 $5,613
1994 $1,150 $7,338 $2,662 $5,734
1993 $1,279 $7,032 $2,931 $6,420
1992 $1,007 $6,917 $3,099 $6,862
1991 $884 $7,215 $3,490 $7,858
1990 $2,367 $7,548 $3,494 $8,028
1989 $2,477 - $3,430 -
1988 $2,511 - $3,778 -
1987 $3,132 - - -
1986 $2,260 - - -
1985 $1,915 - - -
1984 $1,964 - - -
1983 $1,853 - - -
1982 $2,169 - - -
1981 $2,235 - - -
1980 $2,239 - - -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1980–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Bulgaria's GDP per capita is $17,596, ranking 64/197, compared to $15,145 in Russia, ranking 68/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Bulgaria ranks 54th at $41,969, while Russia ranks 50th at $47,405.

Economic indicators

Bulgaria Russia
Gross domestic product
$113B
2024
$2.17T
2024
GDP rank
67/197
2024
11/197
2024
GDP growth
3.39%
2023-2024
4.34%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$17,596
2024
$15,145
2024
GDP per capita rank
64/197
2024
68/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$41,969
2024
$47,405
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
54/197
2024
50/197
2024
Government debt
$27.3B
2024
$440B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
24.1%
2024
20.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$4,237
2024
$3,067
2024
Government debt per person rank
90/185
2024
98/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$14,263
2026
$10,464
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$8.41B
2024
$650B
2023
Number of millionaires n/a
426,000
2025
Number of billionaires
2
2025
140
2025
Income share by richest 10%
31.1%
2023
25.1%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
2.1%
2023
3.1%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
36.7%
2024
36.9%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.6%
2023-2024
8.4%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
1.81%
2025
16%
2025
Unemployment rate
4.17%
2024
2.43%
2024
Population
6359449
141906741

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Bulgaria
Spending

Debt
Russia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Bulgaria Russia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 36.7% 24.1% 36.9% 20.3%
2023 37.4% 22.9% 35.7% 19.5%
2022 37.6% 22.5% 35.2% 18.5%
2021 38.4% 23.8% 34.9% 16.5%
2020 37.6% 22.7% 39.2% 19.2%
2019 36% 18.4% 33.8% 13.7%
2018 34.4% 20.1% 32.6% 13.6%
2017 32% 22.9% 34.8% 14.3%
2016 32.7% 27% 36.6% 14.8%
2015 37.3% 25.4% 35.3% 15.3%
2014 37.1% 26.3% 34.9% 15.1%
2013 35.5% 17.2% 34.7% 12.3%
2012 32.5% 16.5% 34% 11.2%
2011 32% 14.3% 33.3% 10.3%
2010 34.6% 14.1% 35.5% 10.1%
2009 33.8% 14.5% 38.6% 9.92%
2008 33.5% 14.7% 32% 7.45%
2007 33.1% 17.6% 31.9% 8.03%
2006 32.5% 22.6% 29% 9.8%
2005 34% 28.5% 29.5% 14.9%
2004 34.6% 37.8% 29.6% 20.8%
2003 35.8% 45.4% 32.6% 28.3%
2002 35.1% 53.4% 33.8% 37.6%
2001 36.5% 67.1% 31.5% 44.4%
2000 37.1% 73.3% 30.7% 55.9%
1999 36.2% 78.7% 34.3% 92.4%
1998 30.6% 67.3% 39.7% 135.2%
1997 32.9% 88.4% - 51.5%
1996 44% 113.8% - 51.9%
1995 45.4% 72% - 53.7%
1994 - - - 63.5%
1993 - - - 92.4%
1992 - - - 116%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1992–1997, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Bulgaria's government spending was $41.5B, accounting for 36.7% of its GDP, while Russia spent $802B, or 36.9% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 24.1% in Bulgaria and 20.3% in Russia, ranking 169/185 and 175/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Bulgaria

Russia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Bulgaria Russia
2024 -3.04% -1.6%
2023 -3.03% -2.22%
2022 -0.8% -1.34%
2021 -2.8% 0.78%
2020 -2.92% -3.99%
2019 -0.96% 1.93%
2018 0.12% 2.92%
2017 0.82% -1.47%
2016 1.54% -3.67%
2015 -2.77% -3.39%
2014 -3.65% -1.07%
2013 -1.75% -1.16%
2012 -0.43% 0.38%
2011 -1.83% 1.43%
2010 -3.77% -3.19%
2009 -0.86% -5.89%
2008 2.73% 4.55%
2007 3.09% 5.59%
2006 3.22% 7.8%
2005 2.19% 7.6%
2004 1.59% 4.57%
2003 0.003% 1.35%
2002 -0.61% 0.67%
2001 -0.58% 2.99%
2000 -0.6% 3.11%
1999 0.15% -3.59%
1998 1.08% -7.42%
1997 0.83% -
1996 -10.1% -
1995 -7.98% -
1994 - -
1993 - -
1992 - -
1991 - -
1990 - -
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% 0.15%
1939 0.72% 0.12%
1938 1% 0.16%
1937 1.41% 0.12%
1936 1.17% 0.1%
1935 1.34% 0.07%
1934 -0.12% 0.25%
1933 -0.56% 0.58%
1932 -2.14% 0.06%
1931 -3.07% -1.12%
1930 -5.48% -1.62%
1929 -6.67% -0.4%
1928 -1.09% -0.4%
1927 -0.02% -
1926 -0.25% -
1925 -0.97% -
1924 1.26% -
1923 - -
1922 - -
1921 - -
1920 - -
1919 - -
1918 - -
1917 - -
1916 - -
1915 - -
1914 - -
1913 - -
1912 - 0.69%
1911 - 1.26%
1910 - 1.52%
1909 - -0.15%
1908 - -0.83%
1907 - -0.86%
1906 - -3.19%
1905 - -7.72%
1904 - -5.13%
1903 - 1.04%
1902 - -1.57%
1901 - 0.14%
1900 - -0.36%
1899 - 0.66%
1898 - 0.03%
1897 - 0.34%
1896 - 1.3%
1895 - 0.7%
1894 - 1.43%
1893 - 0.63%
1892 - -1.16%
1891 - -0.97%
1890 - 0.01%
1889 - 1.34%
1888 - 0.88%
1887 - 0.14%
1886 - -0.84%
1885 - -0.75%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1885–1997, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1998–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/bulgaria/russia | 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 Russia's deficit of $34.9B, or 1.6% of GDP.

Over the past 27 years, Bulgaria recorded a fiscal deficit in 16 of those years, while Russia ran a deficit in 13 years. On average, Bulgaria posted an annual deficit equal to 0.51% of GDP, compared to surplus of 0.21% of GDP for Russia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Bulgaria

Russia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Bulgaria Russia
2024 2.6% 8.4%
2023 8.6% 5.9%
2022 13% 13.7%
2021 2.8% 6.7%
2020 1.2% 3.4%
2019 2.5% 4.5%
2018 2.6% 2.9%
2017 1.2% 3.7%
2016 -1.3% 7%
2015 -1.1% 15.5%
2014 -1.6% 7.8%
2013 0.4% 6.8%
2012 2.4% 5.1%
2011 3.4% 8.4%
2010 3% 6.8%
2009 2.5% 11.6%
2008 12% 14.1%
2007 7.6% 9%
2006 7.4% 9.7%
2005 6% 12.7%
2004 6.1% 10.9%
2003 2.3% 13.7%
2002 5.8% 15.8%
2001 7.4% 21.5%
2000 10.3% 20.8%
1999 2.6% 85.7%
1998 18.7% 27.7%
1997 1,061% 14.8%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

Over the past 28 years, Bulgaria has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 42.5%, compared with 13.4% in Russia. In 2024, inflation was 2.6% in Bulgaria and 8.4% in Russia.

Top exports between countries

Bulgaria
Export category Export value
Transport & tourism services $414M
Chemicals & pharma $278M
Business & finance services $68.8M
Machinery & equipment $46.6M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $40.5M
Textiles & consumer goods $22.1M
Raw materials & minerals $8.2M
Manufacturing & construction services $8.13M
IT & IP services $5.4M
Animal & marine products $4.28M
Russia
Export category Export value
Miscellaneous $1.22B
Raw materials & minerals $1.11B
Machinery & equipment $137M
Business & finance services $115M
Metals $114M
Transport & tourism services $70.4M
Manufacturing & construction services $42.6M
Chemicals & pharma $30M
IT & IP services $24.8M
Wood & paper products $22.7M

Balance of trade

Bulgaria Russia
Current account balance
-$1.74B
2024
$63.4B
2024
Current account balance ranking
138/190
2024
12/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-1.54%
2024
+2.91%
2024
Goods imports
$52.8B
2024
$302B
2024
Goods exports
$47.3B
2024
$434B
2024
Service imports
$8.26B
2024
$81.5B
2024
Service exports
$16.6B
2024
$43.1B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
53.9%
2024
17.6%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
56.4%
2024
21.9%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Bulgaria Russia
Economic freedom 68.9 50.3
Economic freedom ranking 44/197 161/197
Property rights 75.8 18.6
Government integrity 48.4 22.8
Judicial effectiveness 58.5 22.8
Tax burden 89.1 81.9
Government spending 58.4 61.3
Fiscal health 90.4 94.4
Business freedom 78.2 51.4
Labor freedom 62.4 59.1
Monetary freedom 75.8 61.8
Trade freedom 79.4 69.4
Investment freedom 60 30
Financial freedom 50 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Bulgaria
Russia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Bulgaria Russia
2026 68.9 50.3
2025 68.8 51.6
2024 68.5 52
2023 69.3 53.8
2022 71 56.1
2021 70.4 61.5
2020 70.2 61
2019 69 58.9
2018 68.3 58.2
2017 67.9 57.1
2016 65.9 50.6
2015 66.8 52.1
2014 65.7 51.9
2013 65 51.1
2012 64.7 50.5
2011 64.9 50.5
2010 62.3 50.3
2009 64.6 50.8
2008 63.7 49.8
2007 62.7 52.2
2006 64.1 52.4
2005 62.3 51.3
2004 59.2 52.8
2003 57 50.8
2002 57.1 48.7
2001 51.9 49.8
2000 47.3 51.8
1999 46.2 54.5
1998 45.7 52.8
1997 47.6 48.6
1996 48.6 51.6
1995 50 51.1

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Bulgaria is 68.9, ranking 44/197, compared to 50.3 for Russia, ranking 161/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Bulgaria Russia
Services, % of GDP
63.8%
2024
57.5%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
21.1%
2024
30.7%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
2.35%
2024
2.74%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$99B
2024
$2.24T
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$39,850
2024
$46,780
2024
Total reserves including gold
$43.7B
2024
$597B
2023
Total reserves ranking
47/177
2024
6/177
2023
Net foreign direct investment
-$2.22B
2024
$9.37B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$3.55B
2024
-$9.35B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$1.13B
2024
-$170M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
6.8%
2024
2.65%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
21.7%
2023
12.1%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
20.4%
2024
26.3%
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/russia | CC BY

Compare countries by 7 more topics

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1980–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1885–1997, 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.