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Economy of Bulgaria vs Slovenia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Bulgaria has a GDP of $113B compared to $73B for Slovenia, ranking 67/197 and 86/197 by economy size, respectively.

Bulgaria has $27.3B in government debt (24.1% of GDP), compared to $48.6B (66.6% of GDP) in Slovenia.

Bulgaria vs Slovenia GDP by year

Bulgaria
Slovenia
1x
Year GDP, current $
Bulgaria Slovenia
2024 $113,343,355,780 $72,972,015,197
2023 $102,199,231,385 $69,255,264,238
2022 $90,506,153,294 $59,899,117,741
2021 $84,374,613,233 $61,540,813,362
2020 $70,486,877,546 $53,384,760,135
2019 $68,507,731,354 $53,909,922,736
2018 $66,097,226,262 $53,689,067,640
2017 $59,167,647,388 $48,153,200,135
2016 $53,929,397,039 $44,290,685,824
2015 $50,765,918,159 $42,709,468,275
2014 $57,080,897,012 $49,514,466,380
2013 $55,819,262,375 $47,867,056,859
2012 $54,297,052,002 $46,167,053,954
2011 $57,681,293,007 $51,199,194,599
2010 $50,689,051,382 $47,793,117,241
2009 $52,023,801,230 $49,975,540,955
2008 $54,480,684,188 $55,509,332,322
2007 $44,431,257,129 $47,880,266,543
2006 $34,380,536,496 $39,260,368,837
2005 $29,868,657,858 $35,947,936,824
2004 $26,157,743,369 $34,156,553,313
2003 $21,144,957,990 $29,360,575,032
2002 $16,403,043,850 $23,214,593,516
2001 $14,183,446,026 $20,668,868,707
2000 $13,245,990,274 $20,159,190,702
1999 $13,637,098,579 $22,609,669,084
1998 $15,031,055,047 $22,058,635,314
1997 $11,316,127,379 $20,726,878,752
1996 $12,294,964,838 $21,470,699,363
1995 $18,991,484,420 $21,367,422,159
1994 $9,709,240,034 $16,400,767,070
1993 $10,832,064,942 $14,449,298,372
1992 $8,602,887,623 $14,277,261,541
1991 $7,628,738,475 $14,454,495,059
1990 $20,632,090,909 $19,832,029,087
1989 $21,988,444,444 -
1988 $22,555,941,176 -
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/slovenia | CC BY

GDP per capita in Bulgaria vs Slovenia by year

Bulgaria
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Slovenia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Bulgaria Slovenia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $17,596 $41,969 $34,301 $57,186
2023 $15,853 $38,829 $32,660 $56,064
2022 $13,999 $36,320 $28,360 $52,347
2021 $12,966 $30,959 $29,193 $45,914
2020 $10,760 $27,352 $25,392 $41,767
2019 $10,354 $26,766 $25,814 $42,373
2018 $9,849 $23,998 $25,888 $38,620
2017 $8,697 $22,317 $23,303 $36,180
2016 $7,822 $20,746 $21,448 $33,575
2015 $7,269 $18,896 $20,697 $31,336
2014 $8,070 $17,991 $24,013 $30,572
2013 $7,796 $16,894 $23,237 $29,634
2012 $7,432 $16,327 $22,442 $28,787
2011 $7,850 $15,747 $24,941 $28,716
2010 $6,854 $14,954 $23,330 $27,579
2009 $6,988 $14,188 $24,502 $27,229
2008 $7,271 $14,347 $27,462 $29,461
2007 $5,889 $12,822 $23,725 $27,468
2006 $4,523 $11,406 $19,563 $25,571
2005 $3,900 $10,291 $17,970 $23,682
2004 $3,390 $9,200 $17,104 $22,588
2003 $2,719 $8,416 $14,712 $20,916
2002 $2,093 $7,786 $11,639 $20,004
2001 $1,771 $6,960 $10,376 $18,763
2000 $1,621 $6,424 $10,136 $17,892
1999 $1,661 $5,808 $11,401 $17,007
1998 $1,820 $6,178 $11,132 $15,994
1997 $1,361 $5,751 $10,437 $15,257
1996 $1,470 $6,849 $10,797 $14,284
1995 $2,259 $7,743 $10,738 $13,637
1994 $1,150 $7,338 $8,244 $13,975
1993 $1,279 $7,032 $7,255 $12,976
1992 $1,007 $6,917 $7,151 $12,296
1991 $884 $7,215 $7,229 $12,698
1990 $2,367 $7,548 $9,925 $13,491
1989 $2,477 - - -
1988 $2,511 - - -
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/slovenia | CC BY

Bulgaria's GDP per capita is $17,596, ranking 64/197, compared to $34,301 in Slovenia, ranking 34/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Bulgaria ranks 54th at $41,969, while Slovenia ranks 37th at $57,186.

Economic indicators

Bulgaria Slovenia
Gross domestic product
$113B
2024
$73B
2024
GDP rank
67/197
2024
86/197
2024
GDP growth
3.39%
2023-2024
1.73%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$17,596
2024
$34,301
2024
GDP per capita rank
64/197
2024
34/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$41,969
2024
$57,186
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
54/197
2024
37/197
2024
Government debt
$27.3B
2024
$48.6B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
24.1%
2024
66.6%
2024
Government debt per person
$4,237
2024
$22,842
2024
Government debt per person rank
90/185
2024
29/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$14,263
2026
$22,215
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$8.41B
2024
$11.4B
2024
Number of billionaires
2
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
31.1%
2023
20.6%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
2.1%
2023
4.1%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
36.7%
2024
46.5%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.6%
2023-2024
1.97%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
1.81%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
4.17%
2024
3.7%
2024
Population
6359449
2124138

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Bulgaria
Spending

Debt
Slovenia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Bulgaria Slovenia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 36.7% 24.1% 46.5% 66.6%
2023 37.4% 22.9% 46.4% 68.3%
2022 37.6% 22.5% 47.7% 72.8%
2021 38.4% 23.8% 49.9% 74.8%
2020 37.6% 22.7% 51.8% 80.2%
2019 36% 18.4% 43.8% 66%
2018 34.4% 20.1% 44.1% 71%
2017 32% 22.9% 44.6% 74.9%
2016 32.7% 27% 46.9% 79.4%
2015 37.3% 25.4% 49.5% 83.4%
2014 37.1% 26.3% 50.6% 81.1%
2013 35.5% 17.2% 57.7% 70.8%
2012 32.5% 16.5% 50% 54.1%
2011 32% 14.3% 51.4% 46.8%
2010 34.6% 14.1% 50.7% 38.6%
2009 33.8% 14.5% 50% 34.9%
2008 33.5% 14.7% 45.2% 21.9%
2007 33.1% 17.6% 43.5% 22.9%
2006 32.5% 22.6% 45.7% 26.2%
2005 34% 28.5% 46.7% 26.6%
2004 34.6% 37.8% 46.9% 27.1%
2003 35.8% 45.4% 47.6% 27%
2002 35.1% 53.4% 47.8% 27.7%
2001 36.5% 67.1% 49.2% 26.3%
2000 37.1% 73.3% 47.8% 26.1%
1999 36.2% 78.7% 47.2% 23.8%
1998 30.6% 67.3% 46.4% 22.8%
1997 32.9% 88.4% 45.4% 22.1%
1996 44% 113.8% 45.2% 21.6%
1995 45.4% 72% 53% 18.2%

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

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

In 2024, Bulgaria's government spending was $41.5B, accounting for 36.7% of its GDP, while Slovenia spent $33.9B, or 46.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 24.1% in Bulgaria and 66.6% in Slovenia, ranking 169/185 and 66/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Bulgaria

Slovenia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Bulgaria Slovenia
2024 -3.04% -0.93%
2023 -3.03% -2.59%
2022 -0.8% -3.02%
2021 -2.8% -4.61%
2020 -2.92% -7.68%
2019 -0.96% 0.68%
2018 0.12% 0.9%
2017 0.82% 0.05%
2016 1.54% -2%
2015 -2.77% -2.84%
2014 -3.65% -4.53%
2013 -1.75% -11.2%
2012 -0.43% -4.2%
2011 -1.83% -6.69%
2010 -3.77% -5.56%
2009 -0.86% -5.87%
2008 2.73% -1.44%
2007 3.09% -0.08%
2006 3.22% -1.26%
2005 2.19% -1.38%
2004 1.59% -1.98%
2003 0.003% -2.66%
2002 -0.61% -2.47%
2001 -0.58% -4.58%
2000 -0.6% -3.77%
1999 0.15% -3.04%
1998 1.08% -2.39%
1997 0.83% -2.37%
1996 -10.1% -1.16%
1995 -7.98% -8.19%
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 (1995–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1924–1997, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/bulgaria/slovenia | 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 Slovenia's deficit of $681M, or 0.93% of GDP.

Over the past 30 years, Bulgaria recorded a fiscal deficit in 18 of those years, while Slovenia ran a deficit in 27 years. On average, Bulgaria posted an annual deficit equal to 1.04% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.23% of GDP for Slovenia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Bulgaria

Slovenia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Bulgaria Slovenia
2024 2.6% 1.97%
2023 8.6% 7.45%
2022 13% 8.83%
2021 2.8% 1.92%
2020 1.2% -0.05%
2019 2.5% 1.63%
2018 2.6% 1.74%
2017 1.2% 1.43%
2016 -1.3% -0.05%
2015 -1.1% -0.53%
2014 -1.6% 0.2%
2013 0.4% 1.77%
2012 2.4% 2.6%
2011 3.4% 1.8%
2010 3% 1.8%
2009 2.5% 0.84%
2008 12% 5.65%
2007 7.6% 3.66%
2006 7.4% 2.46%
2005 6% 2.45%
2004 6.1% 3.59%
2003 2.3% 5.54%
2002 5.8% 7.48%
2001 7.4% 8.38%
2000 10.3% 8.91%
1999 2.6% 6.16%
1998 18.7% 7.89%
1997 1,061% 8.36%

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/slovenia | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Bulgaria has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 42.5%, compared with 3.71% in Slovenia. In 2024, inflation was 2.6% in Bulgaria and 1.97% in Slovenia.

Top exports between countries

Bulgaria
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $111M
Metals $56.7M
Raw materials & minerals $44.2M
Textiles & consumer goods $24.8M
Chemicals & pharma $24.5M
Transport & tourism services $14.7M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $10.1M
IT & IP services $5.08M
Manufacturing & construction services $4.5M
Wood & paper products $3.51M
Slovenia
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $199M
Machinery & equipment $91.5M
Textiles & consumer goods $26M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $23.9M
Metals $20.1M
Raw materials & minerals $17.2M
Wood & paper products $17.1M
Transport & tourism services $12.5M
Business & finance services $7.46M
Raw agricultural goods $5.97M

Balance of trade

Bulgaria Slovenia
Current account balance
-$1.74B
2024
$3.32B
2024
Current account balance ranking
138/190
2024
37/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-1.54%
2024
+4.55%
2024
Goods imports
$52.8B
2024
$45.2B
2024
Goods exports
$47.3B
2024
$45.6B
2024
Service imports
$8.26B
2024
$9.52B
2024
Service exports
$16.6B
2024
$13.6B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
53.9%
2024
74.7%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
56.4%
2024
80.9%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Bulgaria Slovenia
Economic freedom 68.9 69.7
Economic freedom ranking 44/197 40/197
Property rights 75.8 87.6
Government integrity 48.4 66.1
Judicial effectiveness 58.5 91.6
Tax burden 89.1 55.5
Government spending 58.4 34.1
Fiscal health 90.4 83.5
Business freedom 78.2 78.7
Labor freedom 62.4 62.7
Monetary freedom 75.8 77.5
Trade freedom 79.4 79.4
Investment freedom 60 70
Financial freedom 50 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Bulgaria
Slovenia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Bulgaria Slovenia
2026 68.9 69.7
2025 68.8 68.3
2024 68.5 65.9
2023 69.3 68.5
2022 71 70.5
2021 70.4 68.3
2020 70.2 67.8
2019 69 65.5
2018 68.3 64.8
2017 67.9 59.2
2016 65.9 60.6
2015 66.8 60.3
2014 65.7 62.7
2013 65 61.7
2012 64.7 62.9
2011 64.9 64.6
2010 62.3 64.7
2009 64.6 62.9
2008 63.7 60.2
2007 62.7 59.6
2006 64.1 61.9
2005 62.3 59.6
2004 59.2 59.2
2003 57 57.7
2002 57.1 57.8
2001 51.9 61.8
2000 47.3 58.3
1999 46.2 61.3
1998 45.7 60.7
1997 47.6 55.6
1996 48.6 50.4
1995 50 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Bulgaria is 68.9, ranking 44/197, compared to 69.7 for Slovenia, ranking 40/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Bulgaria Slovenia
Services, % of GDP
63.8%
2024
57.9%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
21.1%
2024
29.1%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
2.35%
2024
1.54%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$99B
2024
$67.6B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$39,850
2024
$56,520
2024
Total reserves including gold
$43.7B
2024
$2.83B
2024
Total reserves ranking
47/177
2024
118/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$2.22B
2024
-$405M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$3.55B
2024
$1.87B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$1.13B
2024
$1.46B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
6.8%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
21.7%
2023
12.7%
2022
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
20.4%
2024
21.5%
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/slovenia | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1980–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1995–2024, 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 (2023–2024, 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.