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Economy of Bulgaria vs Saudi Arabia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Bulgaria has a GDP of $113B compared to $1.24T for Saudi Arabia, ranking 67/197 and 18/197 by economy size, respectively.

Bulgaria has $27.3B in government debt (24.1% of GDP), compared to $324B (26.2% of GDP) in Saudi Arabia.

Bulgaria vs Saudi Arabia GDP by year

Bulgaria
Saudi Arabia
1x
Year GDP, current $
Bulgaria Saudi Arabia
2024 $113,343,355,780 $1,239,804,533,333
2023 $102,199,231,385 $1,218,584,533,333
2022 $90,506,153,294 $1,239,075,200,000
2021 $84,374,613,233 $982,661,066,667
2020 $70,486,877,546 $767,951,200,000
2019 $68,507,731,354 $888,890,133,333
2018 $66,097,226,262 $886,564,800,000
2017 $59,167,647,388 $741,266,133,333
2016 $53,929,397,039 $689,279,466,667
2015 $50,765,918,159 $693,414,400,000
2014 $57,080,897,012 $787,153,066,667
2013 $55,819,262,375 $769,755,733,333
2012 $54,297,052,002 $751,921,333,333
2011 $57,681,293,007 $680,660,800,000
2010 $50,689,051,382 $528,207,466,667
2009 $52,023,801,230 $429,097,866,667
2008 $54,480,684,188 $519,796,800,000
2007 $44,431,257,129 $415,964,509,673
2006 $34,380,536,496 $376,900,133,511
2005 $29,868,657,858 $328,459,608,764
2004 $26,157,743,369 $258,742,133,333
2003 $21,144,957,990 $215,807,733,333
2002 $16,403,043,850 $189,605,866,667
2001 $14,183,446,026 $184,137,600,000
2000 $13,245,990,274 $189,514,933,333
1999 $13,637,098,579 $161,717,066,667
1998 $15,031,055,047 $146,775,466,667
1997 $11,316,127,379 $165,963,684,913
1996 $12,294,964,838 $158,662,483,311
1995 $18,991,484,420 $143,343,124,166
1994 $9,709,240,034 $135,174,899,866
1993 $10,832,064,942 $132,967,957,276
1992 $8,602,887,623 $137,087,850,467
1991 $7,628,738,475 $132,223,230,975
1990 $20,632,090,909 $117,630,173,565
1989 $21,988,444,444 $95,344,459,279
1988 $22,555,941,176 $88,256,074,766
1987 $28,101,000,000 $85,695,861,148
1986 $20,249,294,118 $86,961,922,765
1985 $17,155,421,053 $103,897,846,494
1984 $17,594,944,444 $119,624,858,116
1983 $16,563,666,667 $129,171,635,311
1982 $19,342,000,000 $153,240,313,858
1981 $19,870,000,000 $184,291,360,139
1980 $19,839,230,769 $164,539,660,725
1979 - $111,858,444,786
1978 - $80,266,516,687
1977 - $74,188,986,586
1976 - $64,005,665,722
1975 - $46,773,208,643
1974 - $45,412,957,746
1973 - $14,947,435,499
1972 - $9,664,267,087
1971 - $7,184,806,909
1970 - $5,377,333,333
1969 - $4,485,777,644
1968 - $4,187,777,711
1967 - $3,257,022,223
1966 - $2,920,555,557
1965 - $2,647,955,558
1964 - $2,371,808,713
1963 - $2,207,393,172
1962 - $2,130,606,532
1961 - $1,920,811,284
1960 - $1,748,124,064

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

GeoRank.org/economy/bulgaria/saudi-arabia | CC BY

GDP per capita in Bulgaria vs Saudi Arabia by year

Bulgaria
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Saudi Arabia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Bulgaria Saudi Arabia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $17,596 $41,969 $35,122 $71,375
2023 $15,853 $38,829 $36,157 $71,565
2022 $13,999 $36,320 $38,510 $71,968
2021 $12,966 $30,959 $31,921 $62,690
2020 $10,760 $27,352 $24,339 $47,518
2019 $10,354 $26,766 $29,567 $59,560
2018 $9,849 $23,998 $29,360 $59,378
2017 $8,697 $22,317 $23,929 $53,120
2016 $7,822 $20,746 $22,268 $49,937
2015 $7,269 $18,896 $23,256 $53,931
2014 $8,070 $17,991 $27,805 $62,578
2013 $7,796 $16,894 $27,865 $62,203
2012 $7,432 $16,327 $28,733 $65,034
2011 $7,850 $15,747 $27,127 $64,125
2010 $6,854 $14,954 $22,028 $58,829
2009 $6,988 $14,188 $17,718 $54,787
2008 $7,271 $14,347 $22,320 $57,236
2007 $5,889 $12,822 $18,596 $55,030
2006 $4,523 $11,406 $17,564 $54,639
2005 $3,900 $10,291 $15,976 $53,548
2004 $3,390 $9,200 $13,154 $51,225
2003 $2,719 $8,416 $11,487 $48,078
2002 $2,093 $7,786 $10,586 $45,466
2001 $1,771 $6,960 $10,805 $47,381
2000 $1,621 $6,424 $11,715 $48,644
1999 $1,661 $5,808 $10,452 $47,495
1998 $1,820 $6,178 $9,836 $48,867
1997 $1,361 $5,751 $11,545 $48,796
1996 $1,470 $6,849 $11,472 $48,569
1995 $2,259 $7,743 $10,786 $48,052
1994 $1,150 $7,338 $10,602 $48,904
1993 $1,279 $7,032 $10,885 $49,503
1992 $1,007 $6,917 $11,730 $50,355
1991 $884 $7,215 $11,847 $49,295
1990 $2,367 $7,548 $11,055 $46,214
1989 $2,477 - $9,414 -
1988 $2,511 - $9,165 -
1987 $3,132 - $9,386 -
1986 $2,260 - $10,078 -
1985 $1,915 - $12,745 -
1984 $1,964 - $15,541 -
1983 $1,853 - $17,810 -
1982 $2,169 - $22,454 -
1981 $2,235 - $28,703 -
1980 $2,239 - $27,206 -
1979 - - $19,612 -
1978 - - $14,914 -
1977 - - $14,595 -
1976 - - $13,313 -
1975 - - $10,266 -
1974 - - $10,503 -
1973 - - $3,640 -
1972 - - $2,474 -
1971 - - $1,929 -
1970 - - $1,509 -
1969 - - $1,313 -
1968 - - $1,276 -
1967 - - $1,032 -
1966 - - $961 -
1965 - - $904 -
1964 - - $840 -
1963 - - $812 -
1962 - - $813 -
1961 - - $760 -
1960 - - $718 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/bulgaria/saudi-arabia | CC BY

Bulgaria's GDP per capita is $17,596, ranking 64/197, compared to $35,122 in Saudi Arabia, ranking 33/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Bulgaria ranks 54th at $41,969, while Saudi Arabia ranks 24th at $71,375.

Economic indicators

Bulgaria Saudi Arabia
Gross domestic product
$113B
2024
$1.24T
2024
GDP rank
67/197
2024
18/197
2024
GDP growth
3.39%
2023-2024
2%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$17,596
2024
$35,122
2024
GDP per capita rank
64/197
2024
33/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$41,969
2024
$71,375
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
54/197
2024
24/197
2024
Government debt
$27.3B
2024
$324B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
24.1%
2024
26.2%
2024
Government debt per person
$4,237
2024
$9,185
2024
Government debt per person rank
90/185
2024
58/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$14,263
2026
$23,076
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$8.41B
2024
$2.73T
2024
Number of millionaires n/a
351,855
2025
Number of billionaires
2
2025
15
2025
Income share by richest 10%
31.1%
2023
n/a
Income share by poorest 10%
2.1%
2023
n/a
Government expenditure, % of GDP
36.7%
2024
29.6%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.6%
2023-2024
1.69%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
1.81%
2025
4.25%
2025
Unemployment rate
4.17%
2024
3.52%
2024
Population
6359449
36734925

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Bulgaria
Spending

Debt
Saudi Arabia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Bulgaria Saudi Arabia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 36.7% 24.1% 29.6% 26.2%
2023 37.4% 22.9% 28.3% 23%
2022 37.6% 22.5% 25.3% 21.3%
2021 38.4% 23.8% 28.2% 25.5%
2020 37.6% 22.7% 37.4% 29.7%
2019 36% 18.4% 31.8% 20.3%
2018 34.4% 20.1% 32.4% 16.8%
2017 32% 22.9% 30.9% 15.9%
2016 32.7% 27% 33.3% 12.2%
2015 37.3% 25.4% 38.5% 5.47%
2014 37.1% 26.3% 38.6% 1.5%
2013 35.5% 17.2% 34.5% 2.08%
2012 32.5% 16.5% 32.5% 2.97%
2011 32% 14.3% 32.4% 5.31%
2010 34.6% 14.1% 33% 8.43%
2009 33.8% 14.5% 37.1% 14%
2008 33.5% 14.7% 26.7% 12.1%
2007 33.1% 17.6% 29.5% 17.1%
2006 32.5% 22.6% 27.3% 25.8%
2005 34% 28.5% 28.2% 37.3%
2004 34.6% 37.8% 31.1% 62.9%
2003 35.8% 45.4% 33.1% 81.6%
2002 35.1% 53.4% 35.9% 96.4%
2001 36.5% 67.1% 36.9% 93.1%
2000 37.1% 73.3% 33.1% 86.7%
1999 36.2% 78.7% 30.3% 103%
1998 30.6% 67.3% 34.5% 101.5%
1997 32.9% 88.4% 35.6% 76.7%
1996 44% 113.8% 33.3% 75.2%
1995 45.4% 72% 32.4% 74.2%
1994 - - 33.8% 67.9%
1993 - - 37.7% 58.6%
1992 - - 41.2% 47.8%
1991 - - 34.9% 39.4%
1990 - - 39.3% -

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/saudi-arabia | CC BY

In 2024, Bulgaria's government spending was $41.5B, accounting for 36.7% of its GDP, while Saudi Arabia spent $367B, or 29.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 24.1% in Bulgaria and 26.2% in Saudi Arabia, ranking 169/185 and 163/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Bulgaria

Saudi Arabia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Bulgaria Saudi Arabia
2024 -3.04% -2.49%
2023 -3.03% -1.77%
2022 -0.8% 2.24%
2021 -2.8% -1.99%
2020 -2.92% -10.2%
2019 -0.96% -3.96%
2018 0.12% -5.21%
2017 0.82% -8.57%
2016 1.54% -13.2%
2015 -2.77% -14.9%
2014 -3.65% -3.4%
2013 -1.75% 5.47%
2012 -0.43% 11.7%
2011 -1.83% 11.4%
2010 -3.77% 4.39%
2009 -0.86% -5.38%
2008 2.73% 29.8%
2007 3.09% 11.8%
2006 3.22% 20.8%
2005 2.19% 18%
2004 1.59% 9.72%
2003 0.003% 1.2%
2002 -0.61% -5.91%
2001 -0.58% -3.91%
2000 -0.6% 3.18%
1999 0.15% -5.99%
1998 1.08% -8.88%
1997 0.83% -2.51%
1996 -10.1% -3.25%
1995 -7.98% -5.12%
1994 - -8.31%
1993 - -9.33%
1992 - -8.12%
1991 - -3.28%
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 (1991–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1924–1997, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/bulgaria/saudi-arabia | 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 Saudi Arabia's deficit of $30.9B, or 2.49% of GDP.

Over the past 30 years, Bulgaria recorded a fiscal deficit in 18 of those years, while Saudi Arabia ran a deficit in 18 years. On average, Bulgaria posted an annual deficit equal to 1.04% of GDP, compared to surplus of 0.77% of GDP for Saudi Arabia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Bulgaria

Saudi Arabia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Bulgaria Saudi Arabia
2024 2.6% 1.69%
2023 8.6% 2.33%
2022 13% 2.47%
2021 2.8% 3.06%
2020 1.2% 3.37%
2019 2.5% -1.19%
2018 2.6% 2.47%
2017 1.2% -0.83%
2016 -1.3% 2.05%
2015 -1.1% 1.22%
2014 -1.6% 2.24%
2013 0.4% 3.51%
2012 2.4% 2.87%
2011 3.4% 5.83%
2010 3% 5.34%
2009 2.5% 5.06%
2008 12% 9.87%
2007 7.6% 4.17%
2006 7.4% 2.21%
2005 6% 0.48%
2004 6.1% 0.52%
2003 2.3% 0.61%
2002 5.8% 0.25%
2001 7.4% -1.12%
2000 10.3% -1.12%
1999 2.6% -1.33%
1998 18.7% -0.37%
1997 1,061% 0.06%

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/saudi-arabia | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Bulgaria has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 42.5%, compared with 1.99% in Saudi Arabia. In 2024, inflation was 2.6% in Bulgaria and 1.69% in Saudi Arabia.

Top exports between countries

Bulgaria
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $96.1M
Raw agricultural goods $35.1M
Raw materials & minerals $28.2M
Chemicals & pharma $21.9M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $17.4M
Wood & paper products $16.7M
Textiles & consumer goods $4.2M
Metals $3.3M
Animal & marine products $1.38M
Miscellaneous $448K
Saudi Arabia
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $520M
Chemicals & pharma $40.1M
Metals $1.66M
Textiles & consumer goods $947K
Machinery & equipment $214K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $192K
Animal & marine products $122K
Raw agricultural goods $80K
Miscellaneous $5K
Wood & paper products $1K

Balance of trade

Bulgaria Saudi Arabia
Current account balance
-$1.74B
2024
-$16.3B
2024
Current account balance ranking
138/190
2024
180/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-1.54%
2024
-1.31%
2024
Goods imports
$52.8B
2024
$214B
2024
Goods exports
$47.3B
2024
$306B
2024
Service imports
$8.26B
2024
$125B
2024
Service exports
$16.6B
2024
$62.8B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
53.9%
2024
25.6%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
56.4%
2024
29.1%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Bulgaria Saudi Arabia
Economic freedom 68.9 65.4
Economic freedom ranking 44/197 65/197
Property rights 75.8 51.4
Government integrity 48.4 52.7
Judicial effectiveness 58.5 38.2
Tax burden 89.1 99.2
Government spending 58.4 77
Fiscal health 90.4 97.9
Business freedom 78.2 71.2
Labor freedom 62.4 41.8
Monetary freedom 75.8 81.2
Trade freedom 79.4 73.8
Investment freedom 60 50
Financial freedom 50 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Bulgaria
Saudi Arabia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Bulgaria Saudi Arabia
2026 68.9 65.4
2025 68.8 64.4
2024 68.5 61.9
2023 69.3 58.3
2022 71 55.5
2021 70.4 66
2020 70.2 62.4
2019 69 60.7
2018 68.3 59.6
2017 67.9 64.4
2016 65.9 62.1
2015 66.8 62.1
2014 65.7 62.2
2013 65 60.6
2012 64.7 62.5
2011 64.9 66.2
2010 62.3 64.1
2009 64.6 64.3
2008 63.7 62.5
2007 62.7 60.9
2006 64.1 63
2005 62.3 63
2004 59.2 60.4
2003 57 63.2
2002 57.1 65.3
2001 51.9 62.2
2000 47.3 66.5
1999 46.2 65.5
1998 45.7 69.3
1997 47.6 68.7
1996 48.6 68.3
1995 50 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/bulgaria/saudi-arabia | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Bulgaria is 68.9, ranking 44/197, compared to 65.4 for Saudi Arabia, ranking 65/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Bulgaria Saudi Arabia
Services, % of GDP
63.8%
2024
47.1%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
21.1%
2024
44.9%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
2.35%
2024
2.54%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$99B
2024
$1.26T
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$39,850
2024
$71,730
2024
Total reserves including gold
$43.7B
2024
$464B
2024
Total reserves ranking
47/177
2024
7/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$2.22B
2024
$6.27B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$3.55B
2024
$21.3B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$1.13B
2024
$27.6B
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
30.2%
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/saudi-arabia | 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 (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 (2022–2024, 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.