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Economy of Bulgaria vs Slovakia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Bulgaria has a GDP of $131B compared to $155B for Slovakia, ranking 63/197 and 60/197 by economy size, respectively.

Bulgaria has $35.4B in government debt (27.1% of GDP), compared to $95.3B (61.6% of GDP) in Slovakia.

Bulgaria vs Slovakia GDP by year

Bulgaria
Slovakia
1x
Year GDP, current $
Bulgaria Slovakia
2025 $130,777,235,530 $154,530,066,507
2024 $113,349,149,167 $140,934,076,532
2023 $102,204,457,335 $133,578,518,424
2022 $90,510,784,778 $115,792,972,358
2021 $84,378,926,047 $120,511,265,913
2020 $70,490,478,088 $107,732,602,896
2019 $68,511,235,459 $105,843,498,304
2018 $66,100,606,677 $106,611,673,365
2017 $59,170,671,046 $95,978,130,735
2016 $53,932,152,154 $90,347,173,229
2015 $50,768,512,173 $89,178,548,717
2014 $57,083,817,240 $101,713,075,599
2013 $55,822,115,861 $99,134,277,850
2012 $54,299,825,600 $94,724,394,278
2011 $57,684,243,980 $99,705,104,723
2010 $50,691,645,231 $91,112,160,801
2009 $52,026,461,290 $89,342,984,698
2008 $54,483,464,293 $96,685,492,864
2007 $44,433,521,725 $77,019,443,089
2006 $34,382,295,487 $57,111,148,619
2005 $29,870,182,425 $48,823,790,951
2004 $26,159,078,743 $42,960,730,480
2003 $21,146,038,619 $33,761,723,946
2002 $16,403,880,783 $24,768,142,566
2001 $14,184,170,319 $21,377,597,035
2000 $13,246,669,554 $20,626,538,612
1999 $13,637,793,854 $20,813,421,086
1998 $15,031,821,788 $22,911,708,405
1997 $11,316,706,412 $22,026,728,498
1996 $12,295,588,924 $21,864,845,214
1995 $18,992,388,645 $20,306,095,054
1994 $9,709,230,161 $16,187,735,322
1993 $10,832,041,595 $13,991,963,247
1992 $8,602,874,120 $12,932,972,789
1991 $7,628,764,750 $11,952,983,608
1990 $20,726,605,649 $17,068,924,602
1989 $21,746,286,447 -
1988 $23,003,003,708 -
1987 $28,428,718,531 -
1986 $20,261,546,635 -
1985 $17,562,270,447 -
1984 $17,410,894,971 -
1983 $16,959,180,922 -
1982 $19,803,624,625 -
1981 $20,055,685,481 -
1980 $20,039,544,133 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1980–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

GDP per capita in Bulgaria vs Slovakia by year

Bulgaria
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Slovakia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Bulgaria Slovakia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $20,328 - $28,544 -
2024 $17,597 $41,969 $25,993 $48,132
2023 $15,854 $38,829 $24,615 $45,974
2022 $14,000 $36,320 $21,318 $41,562
2021 $12,967 $30,959 $22,123 $38,346
2020 $10,761 $27,352 $19,735 $35,328
2019 $10,354 $26,766 $19,406 $33,986
2018 $9,850 $23,998 $19,573 $31,510
2017 $8,697 $22,317 $17,646 $30,246
2016 $7,823 $20,746 $16,636 $29,868
2015 $7,269 $18,896 $16,442 $30,148
2014 $8,070 $17,991 $18,771 $29,108
2013 $7,796 $16,894 $18,313 $28,075
2012 $7,432 $16,327 $17,517 $27,023
2011 $7,850 $15,747 $18,469 $26,202
2010 $6,854 $14,954 $16,899 $25,382
2009 $6,989 $14,188 $16,587 $23,077
2008 $7,272 $14,347 $17,974 $23,714
2007 $5,889 $12,822 $14,330 $21,232
2006 $4,523 $11,406 $10,629 $18,906
2005 $3,900 $10,291 $9,087 $16,570
2004 $3,390 $9,200 $7,997 $15,166
2003 $2,720 $8,416 $6,283 $14,088
2002 $2,093 $7,786 $4,606 $13,292
2001 $1,771 $6,960 $3,974 $12,367
2000 $1,621 $6,424 $3,828 $11,370
1999 $1,661 $5,808 $3,857 $10,726
1998 $1,821 $6,178 $4,250 $10,666
1997 $1,361 $5,751 $4,092 $10,137
1996 $1,470 $6,849 $4,069 $9,500
1995 $2,259 $7,743 $3,787 $8,812
1994 $1,150 $7,338 $3,028 $8,178
1993 $1,279 $7,032 $2,627 $7,569
1992 $1,007 $6,917 $2,438 $7,270
1991 $884 $7,215 $2,254 $7,623
1990 $2,377 $7,548 $3,221 $8,638
1989 $2,450 - - -
1988 $2,561 - - -
1987 $3,169 - - -
1986 $2,262 - - -
1985 $1,960 - - -
1984 $1,943 - - -
1983 $1,897 - - -
1982 $2,221 - - -
1981 $2,256 - - -
1980 $2,261 - - -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1980–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Bulgaria's GDP per capita is $20,328, ranking 58/197, compared to $28,544 in Slovakia, ranking 46/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Bulgaria ranks 54th at $41,969, while Slovakia ranks 49th at $48,132.

Economic indicators

Bulgaria Slovakia
Gross domestic product
$131B
2025
$155B
2025
GDP rank
63/197
2025
60/197
2025
GDP growth
3.1%
2024-2025
0.81%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$20,328
2025
$28,544
2025
GDP per capita rank
58/197
2025
46/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$41,969
2024
$48,132
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
54/197
2024
49/197
2024
Government debt
$35.4B
2025
$95.3B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
27.1%
2025
61.6%
2025
Government debt per person
$5,507
2025
$17,597
2025
Government debt per person rank
79/185
2025
36/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$16,126
2026
$17,518
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$11.2B
2025
$5.38B
2014
Number of billionaires
2
2026
2
2026
Income share by richest 10%
31.1%
2023
18.8%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
2.1%
2023
3.3%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
38.9%
2025
48.7%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
3.5%
2024-2025
4%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
1.81%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
3.5%
2025
5.4%
2025
Population
6390149
5376239

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Bulgaria
Spending

Debt
Slovakia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Bulgaria Slovakia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 38.9% 27.1% 48.7% 61.6%
2024 36.3% 23.8% 47.5% 59.7%
2023 37.5% 22.9% 48.2% 55.8%
2022 37.6% 22.5% 43.1% 57.8%
2021 38.5% 23.9% 44.8% 60.2%
2020 37.7% 22.7% 44.5% 58.4%
2019 36.1% 18.4% 40.6% 48%
2018 34.4% 20.1% 39.7% 49.3%
2017 32% 22.9% 39.8% 51.4%
2016 32.7% 27% 40.9% 52.1%
2015 37.3% 25.4% 44.1% 51.6%
2014 37.1% 26.3% 42% 53.4%
2013 35.5% 17.2% 41.1% 54.6%
2012 32.5% 16.5% 40% 51.7%
2011 32% 14.3% 40.8% 43.3%
2010 34.6% 14.1% 41% 40.7%
2009 33.8% 14.5% 43.2% 36.4%
2008 33.5% 14.7% 36.5% 28.6%
2007 33.1% 17.6% 35.9% 30.4%
2006 32.5% 22.6% 38.2% 31.5%
2005 34% 28.5% 39.1% 35%
2004 34.6% 37.8% 38.4% 42%
2003 35.8% 45.4% 40% 43.6%
2002 35.1% 53.4% 46% 45.6%
2001 36.5% 67.1% 46.2% 51.4%
2000 37.1% 73.3% 53.2% 50.6%
1999 36.2% 78.7% 48.4% 47.1%
1998 30.6% 67.3% 46.2% 33.9%
1997 32.9% 88.4% 48.6% 32.8%
1996 44% 113.8% 52.8% 30.3%
1995 45.4% 72% 47.8% 21.3%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1995–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1995–1997, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Bulgaria's government spending was $50.8B, accounting for 38.9% of its GDP, while Slovakia spent $75.3B, or 48.7% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 27.1% in Bulgaria and 61.6% in Slovakia, ranking 164/185 and 74/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Bulgaria

Slovakia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Bulgaria Slovakia
2025 -3.01% -5.02%
2024 -3.01% -5.5%
2023 -3.04% -5.3%
2022 -0.8% -1.56%
2021 -2.8% -5.09%
2020 -2.92% -5.3%
2019 -0.96% -1.21%
2018 0.12% -1.01%
2017 0.82% -0.98%
2016 1.54% -2.59%
2015 -2.77% -2.78%
2014 -3.65% -3.25%
2013 -1.75% -2.86%
2012 -0.43% -4.37%
2011 -1.83% -4.36%
2010 -3.77% -7.44%
2009 -0.86% -8.18%
2008 2.73% -2.54%
2007 3.09% -2.26%
2006 3.22% -3.57%
2005 2.19% -2.86%
2004 1.59% -2.36%
2003 0.003% -2.28%
2002 -0.61% -8.35%
2001 -0.58% -7.74%
2000 -0.6% -12.7%
1999 0.15% -7.25%
1998 1.08% -5.37%
1997 0.83% -6.24%
1996 -10.1% -9.72%
1995 -7.98% -3.43%
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% -
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 (1995–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1924–1997, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Bulgaria's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $3.94B, equivalent to 3.01% of GDP. This compares to Slovakia's deficit of $7.75B, or 5.02% of GDP.

Over the past 31 years, Bulgaria recorded a fiscal deficit in 19 of those years, while Slovakia ran a deficit in 31 years. On average, Bulgaria posted an annual deficit equal to 1.1% of GDP, compared to deficit of 4.63% of GDP for Slovakia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Bulgaria

Slovakia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Bulgaria Slovakia
2025 3.5% 4%
2024 2.6% 2.76%
2023 8.6% 10.5%
2022 13% 12.8%
2021 2.8% 3.15%
2020 1.2% 1.94%
2019 2.5% 2.66%
2018 2.6% 2.51%
2017 1.2% 1.31%
2016 -1.3% -0.52%
2015 -1.1% -0.33%
2014 -1.6% -0.08%
2013 0.4% 1.4%
2012 2.4% 3.61%
2011 3.4% 3.92%
2010 3% 0.96%
2009 2.5% 1.62%
2008 12% 4.6%
2007 7.6% 2.76%
2006 7.4% 4.48%
2005 6% 2.71%
2004 6.1% 7.55%
2003 2.3% 8.55%
2002 5.8% 3.13%
2001 7.4% 7.33%
2000 10.3% 12%
1999 2.6% 10.6%
1998 18.7% 6.67%
1997 1,061% 6.14%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 29 years, Bulgaria has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 41.1%, compared with 4.44% in Slovakia. In 2025, inflation was 3.5% in Bulgaria and 4% in Slovakia.

Top exports between countries

Bulgaria
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $212M
Chemicals & pharma $105M
Metals $76.9M
Transport & tourism services $55.6M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $29.3M
Textiles & consumer goods $27M
IT & IP services $10.6M
Business & finance services $7.93M
Raw materials & minerals $7.92M
Animal & marine products $6.41M
Slovakia
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $588M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $58.3M
Chemicals & pharma $44.5M
Metals $34.7M
Textiles & consumer goods $32.8M
Raw materials & minerals $32.8M
Transport & tourism services $27.2M
Weapons & explosives $25.2M
Wood & paper products $23.7M
Animal & marine products $16.4M

Balance of trade

Bulgaria Slovakia
Current account balance
-$7.64B
2025
-$5.6B
2025
Current account balance ranking
170/190
2025
165/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
-5.84%
2025
-3.63%
2025
Goods imports
$58.5B
2025
$117B
2025
Goods exports
$47.9B
2025
$117B
2025
Service imports
$9.42B
2025
$14.3B
2025
Service exports
$18.6B
2025
$14.7B
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
51.8%
2025
85.2%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
50.7%
2025
85.1%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Bulgaria Slovakia
Economic freedom 68.9 67.7
Economic freedom ranking 44/197 54/197
Property rights 75.8 82.6
Government integrity 48.4 57.2
Judicial effectiveness 58.5 70.5
Tax burden 89.1 75.4
Government spending 58.4 36.4
Fiscal health 90.4 69.6
Business freedom 78.2 71.1
Labor freedom 62.4 55.1
Monetary freedom 75.8 69.7
Trade freedom 79.4 79.4
Investment freedom 60 75
Financial freedom 50 70

Economic freedom comparison by year

Bulgaria
Slovakia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Bulgaria Slovakia
2026 68.9 67.7
2025 68.8 68.4
2024 68.5 68.1
2023 69.3 69
2022 71 69.7
2021 70.4 66.3
2020 70.2 66.8
2019 69 65
2018 68.3 65.3
2017 67.9 65.7
2016 65.9 66.6
2015 66.8 67.2
2014 65.7 66.4
2013 65 68.7
2012 64.7 67
2011 64.9 69.5
2010 62.3 69.7
2009 64.6 69.4
2008 63.7 70
2007 62.7 69.6
2006 64.1 69.8
2005 62.3 66.8
2004 59.2 64.6
2003 57 59
2002 57.1 59.8
2001 51.9 58.5
2000 47.3 53.8
1999 46.2 54.2
1998 45.7 57.5
1997 47.6 55.5
1996 48.6 57.6
1995 50 60.4

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Bulgaria is 68.9, ranking 44/197, compared to 67.7 for Slovakia, ranking 54/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Bulgaria Slovakia
Services, % of GDP
63.3%
2025
59.8%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
21.2%
2025
28.1%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
2.47%
2025
1.59%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$114B
2025
$143B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$42,170
2025
$47,920
2025
Total reserves including gold
$47.1B
2025
$18.2B
2025
Total reserves ranking
51/177
2025
69/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$3.37B
2025
-$198M
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$3.05B
2024
$5.01B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$1.21B
2024
$2.24B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
6.8%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
21.7%
2023
13.7%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
21.7%
2025
20.1%
2025

GDP per capita map

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1980–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1995–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1924–1997, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. TradeMap (2024–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)

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.