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Economy of Bulgaria vs Rwanda compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Bulgaria has a GDP of $113B compared to $14.3B for Rwanda, ranking 67/197 and 144/197 by economy size, respectively.

Bulgaria has $27.3B in government debt (24.1% of GDP), compared to $9.58B (67.2% of GDP) in Rwanda.

Bulgaria vs Rwanda GDP by year

Bulgaria
Rwanda
1x
Year GDP, current $
Bulgaria Rwanda
2024 $113,343,355,780 $14,251,642,235
2023 $102,199,231,385 $14,331,722,703
2022 $90,506,153,294 $13,316,161,002
2021 $84,374,613,233 $11,078,787,090
2020 $70,486,877,546 $10,174,386,857
2019 $68,507,731,354 $10,349,300,277
2018 $66,097,226,262 $9,637,904,521
2017 $59,167,647,388 $9,252,833,891
2016 $53,929,397,039 $8,695,272,058
2015 $50,765,918,159 $8,543,760,200
2014 $57,080,897,012 $8,238,966,124
2013 $55,819,262,375 $7,819,964,030
2012 $54,297,052,002 $7,654,761,050
2011 $57,681,293,007 $6,884,913,658
2010 $50,689,051,382 $6,124,756,654
2009 $52,023,801,230 $5,674,476,969
2008 $54,480,684,188 $5,179,854,065
2007 $44,431,257,129 $4,070,507,895
2006 $34,380,536,496 $3,319,784,539
2005 $29,868,657,858 $2,933,819,766
2004 $26,157,743,369 $2,376,496,067
2003 $21,144,957,990 $2,138,237,279
2002 $16,403,043,850 $1,966,003,468
2001 $14,183,446,026 $1,966,600,715
2000 $13,245,990,274 $2,068,836,754
1999 $13,637,098,579 $2,157,108,263
1998 $15,031,055,047 $1,989,343,546
1997 $11,316,127,379 $1,851,558,197
1996 $12,294,964,838 $1,382,334,879
1995 $18,991,484,420 $1,293,535,193
1994 $9,709,240,034 $753,636,370
1993 $10,832,064,942 $1,971,525,712
1992 $8,602,887,623 $2,029,026,962
1991 $7,628,738,475 $1,911,600,237
1990 $20,632,090,909 $2,550,185,679
1989 $21,988,444,444 $2,405,022,593
1988 $22,555,941,176 $2,395,492,687
1987 $28,101,000,000 $2,157,432,668
1986 $20,249,294,118 $1,944,710,684
1985 $17,155,421,053 $1,715,626,331
1984 $17,594,944,444 $1,587,413,084
1983 $16,563,666,667 $1,479,687,587
1982 $19,342,000,000 $1,407,243,139
1981 $19,870,000,000 $1,407,062,527
1980 $19,839,230,769 $1,254,765,642
1979 - $1,109,346,131
1978 - $905,709,076
1977 - $746,650,613
1976 - $637,753,853
1975 - $571,863,500
1974 - $308,458,423
1973 - $290,746,157
1972 - $246,457,838
1971 - $222,952,504
1970 - $219,900,006
1969 - $188,700,037
1968 - $172,200,018
1967 - $159,560,018
1966 - $124,525,703
1965 - $148,799,980
1964 - $129,999,994
1963 - $128,000,000
1962 - $125,000,008
1961 - $122,000,016
1960 - $119,000,024

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

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

GDP per capita in Bulgaria vs Rwanda by year

Bulgaria
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Rwanda
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Bulgaria Rwanda
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $17,596 $41,969 $1,000 $3,711
2023 $15,853 $38,829 $1,027 $3,399
2022 $13,999 $36,320 $975 $3,099
2021 $12,966 $30,959 $830 $2,733
2020 $10,760 $27,352 $779 $2,285
2019 $10,354 $26,766 $810 $2,336
2018 $9,849 $23,998 $772 $2,125
2017 $8,697 $22,317 $758 $1,968
2016 $7,822 $20,746 $730 $1,866
2015 $7,269 $18,896 $734 $1,781
2014 $8,070 $17,991 $725 $1,678
2013 $7,796 $16,894 $705 $1,512
2012 $7,432 $16,327 $707 $1,455
2011 $7,850 $15,747 $651 $1,413
2010 $6,854 $14,954 $594 $1,314
2009 $6,988 $14,188 $564 $1,241
2008 $7,271 $14,347 $528 $1,191
2007 $5,889 $12,822 $426 $1,079
2006 $4,523 $11,406 $357 $1,002
2005 $3,900 $10,291 $324 $914
2004 $3,390 $9,200 $269.5 $832
2003 $2,719 $8,416 $249 $775
2002 $2,093 $7,786 $234 $760
2001 $1,771 $6,960 $237.3 $670
2000 $1,621 $6,424 $251.9 $609
1999 $1,661 $5,808 $264.7 $554
1998 $1,820 $6,178 $246.2 $528
1997 $1,361 $5,751 $238.7 $500
1996 $1,470 $6,849 $206 $499
1995 $2,259 $7,743 $228 $514
1994 $1,150 $7,338 $111 $311
1993 $1,279 $7,032 $247 $521
1992 $1,007 $6,917 $264.1 $575
1991 $884 $7,215 $254 $542
1990 $2,367 $7,548 $346 $549
1989 $2,477 - $335 -
1988 $2,511 - $344 -
1987 $3,132 - $320 -
1986 $2,260 - $297.7 -
1985 $1,915 - $271.6 -
1984 $1,964 - $259.9 -
1983 $1,853 - $250.6 -
1982 $2,169 - $246.4 -
1981 $2,235 - $254.6 -
1980 $2,239 - $234.4 -
1979 - - $213.8 -
1978 - - $179.9 -
1977 - - $152.7 -
1976 - - $134.4 -
1975 - - $124.1 -
1974 - - $68.9 -
1973 - - $66.9 -
1972 - - $58.4 -
1971 - - $54.4 -
1970 - - $55.2 -
1969 - - $48.9 -
1968 - - $46 -
1967 - - $44 -
1966 - - $35.4 -
1965 - - $43.5 -
1964 - - $39 -
1963 - - $39.3 -
1962 - - $39.2 -
1961 - - $39.3 -
1960 - - $39.4 -

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

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

Bulgaria's GDP per capita is $17,596, ranking 64/197, compared to $1,000 in Rwanda, ranking 178/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Bulgaria ranks 54th at $41,969, while Rwanda ranks 168th at $3,711.

Economic indicators

Bulgaria Rwanda
Gross domestic product
$113B
2024
$14.3B
2024
GDP rank
67/197
2024
144/197
2024
GDP growth
3.39%
2023-2024
8.89%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$17,596
2024
$1,000
2024
GDP per capita rank
64/197
2024
178/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$41,969
2024
$3,711
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
54/197
2024
168/197
2024
Government debt
$27.3B
2024
$9.58B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
24.1%
2024
67.2%
2024
Government debt per person
$4,237
2024
$672
2024
Government debt per person rank
90/185
2024
157/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$14,263
2026
$2,194
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$8.41B
2024
$2.75B
2024
Number of billionaires
2
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
31.1%
2023
33.4%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
2.1%
2023
3.1%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
36.7%
2024
28.8%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.6%
2023-2024
1.77%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
1.81%
2025
6.75%
2025
Unemployment rate
4.17%
2024
11.3%
2024
Population
6359449
14975051

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Bulgaria
Spending

Debt
Rwanda
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Bulgaria Rwanda
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 36.7% 24.1% 28.8% 67.2%
2023 37.4% 22.9% 27% 63.4%
2022 37.6% 22.5% 29.7% 60.9%
2021 38.4% 23.8% 31.6% 67.3%
2020 37.6% 22.7% 33.5% 68.7%
2019 36% 18.4% 28.2% 53.6%
2018 34.4% 20.1% 26.4% 49.2%
2017 32% 22.9% 25.1% 45.6%
2016 32.7% 27% 25.1% 41.1%
2015 37.3% 25.4% 26.6% 33.1%
2014 37.1% 26.3% 27.5% 29.1%
2013 35.5% 17.2% 26.2% 26.7%
2012 32.5% 16.5% 24.6% 19.1%
2011 32% 14.3% 24.7% 18.7%
2010 34.6% 14.1% 23.8% 18.8%
2009 33.8% 14.5% 22.3% 18.5%
2008 33.5% 14.7% 22.5% 18.3%
2007 33.1% 17.6% 22.4% 22.1%
2006 32.5% 22.6% 20.6% 22.5%
2005 34% 28.5% 19.9% 58.9%
2004 34.6% 37.8% 17.9% 80.9%
2003 35.8% 45.4% 18.5% 79.5%
2002 35.1% 53.4% 20.5% 92%
2001 36.5% 67.1% 19.1% 84%
2000 37.1% 73.3% 18.2% 86%
1999 36.2% 78.7% 22.4% 78.4%
1998 30.6% 67.3% 16.4% 70.1%
1997 32.9% 88.4% 17% 72.2%
1996 44% 113.8% 19.5% 83.4%
1995 45.4% 72% 18% 100.8%
1994 - - 13.3% -
1993 - - 20.3% -
1992 - - 21.5% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1992–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1995–1997, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Bulgaria's government spending was $41.5B, accounting for 36.7% of its GDP, while Rwanda spent $4.1B, or 28.8% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 24.1% in Bulgaria and 67.2% in Rwanda, ranking 169/185 and 65/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Bulgaria

Rwanda
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Bulgaria Rwanda
2024 -3.04% -6.57%
2023 -3.03% -5.04%
2022 -0.8% -5.74%
2021 -2.8% -7%
2020 -2.92% -9.54%
2019 -0.96% -5.08%
2018 0.12% -2.57%
2017 0.82% -2.52%
2016 1.54% -2.27%
2015 -2.77% -2.68%
2014 -3.65% -3.92%
2013 -1.75% -1.27%
2012 -0.43% -2.38%
2011 -1.83% -0.86%
2010 -3.77% -0.64%
2009 -0.86% 0.26%
2008 2.73% 0.83%
2007 3.09% -1.56%
2006 3.22% -0.03%
2005 2.19% 1.12%
2004 1.59% 2.27%
2003 0.003% -1.23%
2002 -0.61% -2.03%
2001 -0.58% -1.8%
2000 -0.6% -0.22%
1999 0.15% -4.41%
1998 1.08% -2.59%
1997 0.83% -2.22%
1996 -10.1% -5.01%
1995 -7.98% -2.04%
1994 - -9.54%
1993 - -6.6%
1992 - -7.21%
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% -
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 (1992–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1924–1997, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/bulgaria/rwanda | 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 Rwanda's deficit of $936M, or 6.57% of GDP.

Over the past 30 years, Bulgaria recorded a fiscal deficit in 18 of those years, while Rwanda ran a deficit in 26 years. On average, Bulgaria posted an annual deficit equal to 1.04% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.56% of GDP for Rwanda.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Bulgaria

Rwanda
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Bulgaria Rwanda
2024 2.6% 1.77%
2023 8.6% 19.8%
2022 13% 17.7%
2021 2.8% -0.39%
2020 1.2% 9.85%
2019 2.5% 3.35%
2018 2.6% -0.31%
2017 1.2% 8.28%
2016 -1.3% 7.17%
2015 -1.1% 2.53%
2014 -1.6% 2.35%
2013 0.4% 5.92%
2012 2.4% 10.3%
2011 3.4% 3.08%
2010 3% -0.25%
2009 2.5% 12.9%
2008 12% 15.4%
2007 7.6% 9.08%
2006 7.4% 8.88%
2005 6% 9.01%
2004 6.1% 12.3%
2003 2.3% 7.45%
2002 5.8% 1.99%
2001 7.4% 3.34%
2000 10.3% 3.9%
1999 2.6% -2.41%
1998 18.7% 6.21%
1997 1,061% 12%

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/rwanda | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Bulgaria has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 42.5%, compared with 6.83% in Rwanda. In 2024, inflation was 2.6% in Bulgaria and 1.77% in Rwanda.

Top exports between countries

Bulgaria
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $508K
Textiles & consumer goods $110K
Chemicals & pharma $60K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $35K
Metals $3K
Miscellaneous $1K
Precious metals & jewellery $1K
Raw materials & minerals $1K
Rwanda
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $9K

Balance of trade

Bulgaria Rwanda
Current account balance
-$1.74B
2024
-$1.81B
2024
Current account balance ranking
138/190
2024
140/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-1.54%
2024
-12.7%
2024
Goods imports
$52.8B
2024
$5.55B
2024
Goods exports
$47.3B
2024
$3.2B
2024
Service imports
$8.26B
2024
$991M
2024
Service exports
$16.6B
2024
$1.08B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
53.9%
2024
39.1%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
56.4%
2024
30.8%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Bulgaria Rwanda
Economic freedom 68.9 56.5
Economic freedom ranking 44/197 121/197
Property rights 75.8 60.3
Government integrity 48.4 53.9
Judicial effectiveness 58.5 27.5
Tax burden 89.1 80.6
Government spending 58.4 75.7
Fiscal health 90.4 37.5
Business freedom 78.2 60.1
Labor freedom 62.4 49.1
Monetary freedom 75.8 72.3
Trade freedom 79.4 61.8
Investment freedom 60 60
Financial freedom 50 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Bulgaria
Rwanda
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Bulgaria Rwanda
2026 68.9 56.5
2025 68.8 54.8
2024 68.5 51.6
2023 69.3 52.2
2022 71 57.1
2021 70.4 68.3
2020 70.2 70.9
2019 69 71.1
2018 68.3 69.1
2017 67.9 67.6
2016 65.9 63.1
2015 66.8 64.8
2014 65.7 64.7
2013 65 64.1
2012 64.7 64.9
2011 64.9 62.7
2010 62.3 59.1
2009 64.6 54.2
2008 63.7 54.2
2007 62.7 52.4
2006 64.1 52.8
2005 62.3 51.7
2004 59.2 53.3
2003 57 47.8
2002 57.1 50.4
2001 51.9 45.4
2000 47.3 42.3
1999 46.2 39.8
1998 45.7 39.1
1997 47.6 38.3
1996 48.6 -
1995 50 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Bulgaria is 68.9, ranking 44/197, compared to 56.5 for Rwanda, ranking 121/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Bulgaria Rwanda
Services, % of GDP
63.8%
2024
47.6%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
21.1%
2024
21%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
2.35%
2024
24.6%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$99B
2024
$14.8B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$39,850
2024
$3,620
2024
Total reserves including gold
$43.7B
2024
$2.41B
2024
Total reserves ranking
47/177
2024
123/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$2.22B
2024
-$560M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$3.55B
2024
$573M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$1.13B
2024
$13.2M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
6.8%
2024
3.09%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
21.7%
2023
27.4%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
20.4%
2024
25.9%
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/rwanda | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1992–2024, 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 (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.