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Economy of Bulgaria vs Sudan compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Bulgaria has a GDP of $113B compared to $49.7B for Sudan, ranking 67/197 and 94/197 by economy size, respectively.

Bulgaria has $27.3B in government debt (24.1% of GDP), compared to $130B (261.4% of GDP) in Sudan.

Bulgaria vs Sudan GDP by year

Bulgaria
Sudan
1x
Year GDP, current $
Bulgaria Sudan
2024 $113,343,355,780 $49,672,435,513
2023 $102,199,231,385 $39,898,289,821
2022 $90,506,153,294 $51,666,875,363
2021 $84,374,613,233 $34,229,513,775
2020 $70,486,877,546 $27,034,593,750
2019 $68,507,731,354 $32,338,079,165
2018 $66,097,226,262 $32,333,780,383
2017 $59,167,647,388 $41,283,617,976
2016 $53,929,397,039 $42,630,376,000
2015 $50,765,918,159 $51,726,758,677
2014 $57,080,897,012 $49,516,748,618
2013 $55,819,262,375 $43,024,018,082
2012 $54,297,052,002 $37,632,919,967
2011 $57,681,293,007 $55,018,567,211
2010 $50,689,051,382 $58,962,978,034
2009 $52,023,801,230 $51,621,044,077
2008 $54,480,684,188 $64,833,083,257
2007 $44,431,257,129 $59,440,139,775
2006 $34,380,536,496 $45,263,831,634
2005 $29,868,657,858 $35,182,711,988
2004 $26,157,743,369 $26,646,007,251
2003 $21,144,957,990 $21,355,298,460
2002 $16,403,043,850 $18,137,128,388
2001 $14,183,446,026 $15,716,361,792
2000 $13,245,990,274 $12,257,299,147
1999 $13,637,098,579 $10,682,028,340
1998 $15,031,055,047 $11,250,221,537
1997 $11,316,127,379 $11,681,175,864
1996 $12,294,964,838 $9,018,300,725
1995 $18,991,484,420 $13,830,363,900
1994 $9,709,240,034 $12,793,794,737
1993 $10,832,064,942 $8,881,005,436
1992 $8,602,887,623 $7,031,933,492
1991 $7,628,738,475 $44,171,194,366
1990 $20,632,090,909 $33,641,222,222
1989 $21,988,444,444 $21,408,111,111
1988 $22,555,941,176 $14,372,555,556
1987 $28,101,000,000 $12,093,333,333
1986 $20,249,294,118 $10,092,200,000
1985 $17,155,421,053 $8,075,259,600
1984 $17,594,944,444 $10,447,615,385
1983 $16,563,666,667 $8,230,153,846
1982 $19,342,000,000 $8,732,542,274
1981 $19,870,000,000 $10,753,888,154
1980 $19,839,230,769 $8,951,800,000
1979 - $8,418,407,787
1978 - $8,128,719,315
1977 - $7,499,005,639
1976 - $6,013,210,816
1975 - $4,823,090,192
1974 - $3,958,931,660
1973 - $3,077,254,460
1972 - $2,483,055,722
1971 - $2,288,340,041
1970 - $2,100,229,759
1969 - $1,847,501,441
1968 - $1,677,771,401
1967 - $1,607,409,539
1966 - $1,484,491,676
1965 - $1,446,869,619
1964 - $1,388,282,600
1963 - $1,351,234,926
1962 - $1,328,259,625
1961 - $1,222,860,429
1960 - $1,126,364,162

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

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

GDP per capita in Bulgaria vs Sudan by year

Bulgaria
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Sudan
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Bulgaria Sudan
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $17,596 $41,969 $985 $2,116
2023 $15,853 $38,829 $797 $2,421
2022 $13,999 $36,320 $1,046 $3,355
2021 $12,966 $30,959 $712 $3,249
2020 $10,760 $27,352 $578 $3,349
2019 $10,354 $26,766 $710 $3,914
2018 $9,849 $23,998 $731 $4,199
2017 $8,697 $22,317 $967 $4,252
2016 $7,822 $20,746 $1,033 $4,470
2015 $7,269 $18,896 $1,292 $4,217
2014 $8,070 $17,991 $1,275 $4,261
2013 $7,796 $16,894 $1,139 $3,725
2012 $7,432 $16,327 $1,019 $3,710
2011 $7,850 $15,747 $1,522 $4,112
2010 $6,854 $14,954 $1,665 $3,806
2009 $6,988 $14,188 $1,493 $3,732
2008 $7,271 $14,347 $1,928 $3,938
2007 $5,889 $12,822 $1,814 $3,836
2006 $4,523 $11,406 $1,415 $3,637
2005 $3,900 $10,291 $1,125 $3,407
2004 $3,390 $9,200 $872 $3,215
2003 $2,719 $8,416 $714 $3,058
2002 $2,093 $7,786 $621 $2,898
2001 $1,771 $6,960 $551 $2,769
2000 $1,621 $6,424 $441 $2,616
1999 $1,661 $5,808 $394 $2,475
1998 $1,820 $6,178 $425 $2,428
1997 $1,361 $5,751 $453 $2,358
1996 $1,470 $6,849 $357 $2,006
1995 $2,259 $7,743 $561 $1,902
1994 $1,150 $7,338 $532 $1,805
1993 $1,279 $7,032 $379 $1,794
1992 $1,007 $6,917 $307 $1,710
1991 $884 $7,215 $1,966 $1,599
1990 $2,367 $7,548 $1,528 $1,468
1989 $2,477 - $992 -
1988 $2,511 - $680 -
1987 $3,132 - $584 -
1986 $2,260 - $497 -
1985 $1,915 - $406 -
1984 $1,964 - $534 -
1983 $1,853 - $431 -
1982 $2,169 - $472 -
1981 $2,235 - $605 -
1980 $2,239 - $525 -
1979 - - $515 -
1978 - - $518 -
1977 - - $497 -
1976 - - $413 -
1975 - - $343 -
1974 - - $291.5 -
1973 - - $235.8 -
1972 - - $198.2 -
1971 - - $189 -
1970 - - $179.6 -
1969 - - $163.5 -
1968 - - $153.7 -
1967 - - $152.4 -
1966 - - $145.6 -
1965 - - $146.8 -
1964 - - $145.7 -
1963 - - $146.6 -
1962 - - $148.9 -
1961 - - $141.6 -
1960 - - $134.7 -

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

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

Bulgaria's GDP per capita is $17,596, ranking 64/197, compared to $985 in Sudan, ranking 179/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Bulgaria ranks 54th at $41,969, while Sudan ranks 185th at $2,116.

Economic indicators

Bulgaria Sudan
Gross domestic product
$113B
2024
$49.7B
2024
GDP rank
67/197
2024
94/197
2024
GDP growth
3.39%
2023-2024
-14%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$17,596
2024
$985
2024
GDP per capita rank
64/197
2024
179/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$41,969
2024
$2,116
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
54/197
2024
185/197
2024
Government debt
$27.3B
2024
$130B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
24.1%
2024
261.4%
2024
Government debt per person
$4,237
2024
$2,574
2024
Government debt per person rank
90/185
2024
109/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$14,263
2026
$1,704
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$8.41B
2024
n/a
Number of billionaires
2
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
31.1%
2023
27.8%
2014
Income share by poorest 10%
2.1%
2023
3.2%
2014
Government expenditure, % of GDP
36.7%
2024
6.39%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.6%
2023-2024
138.8%
2021-2022
Central bank interest rate
1.81%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
4.17%
2024
7.53%
2022
Population
6359449
53335233

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Bulgaria
Spending

Debt
Sudan
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Bulgaria Sudan
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 36.7% 24.1% 6.39% 261.4%
2023 37.4% 22.9% 8.23% 259.9%
2022 37.6% 22.5% 17.9% 186.9%
2021 38.4% 23.8% 9.84% 189.6%
2020 37.6% 22.7% 10.9% 278.3%
2019 36% 18.4% 18.7% 216.5%
2018 34.4% 20.1% 16.8% 209.8%
2017 32% 22.9% 12.8% 149.5%
2016 32.7% 27% 9.98% 109.9%
2015 37.3% 25.4% 12.4% 93.2%
2014 37.1% 26.3% 13.5% 84.4%
2013 35.5% 17.2% 15.3% 105.8%
2012 32.5% 16.5% 16.5% 117.7%
2011 32% 14.3% 18.2% 78.1%
2010 34.6% 14.1% 17.4% 74.6%
2009 33.8% 14.5% 18.8% 71%
2008 33.5% 14.7% 19.7% 55.8%
2007 33.1% 17.6% 19.6% 53.7%
2006 32.5% 22.6% 18.8% 63.7%
2005 34% 28.5% 19.7% 75.5%
2004 34.6% 37.8% 16.5% 97.8%
2003 35.8% 45.4% 12.5% 117.4%
2002 35.1% 53.4% 10.5% 121.7%
2001 36.5% 67.1% 9.87% 125.6%
2000 37.1% 73.3% 10.4% 143.2%
1999 36.2% 78.7% 8.4% 160.5%
1998 30.6% 67.3% 7.79% 179.7%
1997 32.9% 88.4% 7.38% 167.7%
1996 44% 113.8% 9.31% 220.9%
1995 45.4% 72% 12.9% 239%
1994 - - 19.6% 386%
1993 - - 23.7% 285.9%
1992 - - 50.4% 495%
1991 - - 45.7% -
1990 - - 31% -

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/sudan | CC BY

In 2024, Bulgaria's government spending was $41.5B, accounting for 36.7% of its GDP, while Sudan spent $3.17B, or 6.39% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 24.1% in Bulgaria and 261.4% in Sudan, ranking 169/185 and 1/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Bulgaria

Sudan
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Bulgaria Sudan
2024 -3.04% -3.46%
2023 -3.03% -3.7%
2022 -0.8% -2.15%
2021 -2.8% -0.29%
2020 -2.92% -6.03%
2019 -0.96% -10.8%
2018 0.12% -7.92%
2017 0.82% -6.07%
2016 1.54% -3.92%
2015 -2.77% -3.87%
2014 -3.65% -4.72%
2013 -1.75% -5.76%
2012 -0.43% -7.37%
2011 -1.83% -2.33%
2010 -3.77% 0.11%
2009 -0.86% -3.8%
2008 2.73% 0.49%
2007 3.09% -2.84%
2006 3.22% -1.32%
2005 2.19% -1.88%
2004 1.59% 0.16%
2003 0.003% 0.77%
2002 -0.61% -0.69%
2001 -0.58% -0.77%
2000 -0.6% -0.7%
1999 0.15% -0.8%
1998 1.08% -0.56%
1997 0.83% -0.59%
1996 -10.1% -2.61%
1995 -7.98% -3.48%
1994 - -3.03%
1993 - -8.04%
1992 - -24.5%
1991 - -26.5%
1990 - -16.2%
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 (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1924–1997, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/bulgaria/sudan | 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 Sudan's deficit of $1.72B, or 3.46% of GDP.

Over the past 30 years, Bulgaria recorded a fiscal deficit in 18 of those years, while Sudan ran a deficit in 26 years. On average, Bulgaria posted an annual deficit equal to 1.04% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.9% of GDP for Sudan.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Bulgaria

Sudan
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Bulgaria Sudan
2024 2.6% -
2023 8.6% -
2022 13% 138.8%
2021 2.8% 359%
2020 1.2% 163.3%
2019 2.5% 51%
2018 2.6% 63.3%
2017 1.2% 32.4%
2016 -1.3% 17.8%
2015 -1.1% 16.9%
2014 -1.6% 36.9%
2013 0.4% 36.5%
2012 2.4% 35.6%
2011 3.4% 18.1%
2010 3% 13%
2009 2.5% 11.3%
2008 12% 14.3%
2007 7.6% 14.8%
2006 7.4% 7.2%
2005 6% 8.51%
2004 6.1% 9.66%
2003 2.3% 6.49%
2002 5.8% 22.2%
2001 7.4% 1.94%
2000 10.3% 7.12%
1999 2.6% 17.2%
1998 18.7% 24.6%
1997 1,061% 47.2%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2022, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Over the past 26 years, Bulgaria has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 45.3%, compared with 45.2% in Sudan. In 2022, inflation was 2.6% in Bulgaria and 138.8% in Sudan.

Top exports between countries

Bulgaria
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $30.6M
Machinery & equipment $496K
Chemicals & pharma $297K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $178K
Wood & paper products $167K
Metals $137K
Textiles & consumer goods $44K
Animal & marine products $16K
Raw materials & minerals $8K
Miscellaneous $1K
Sudan
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $114K

Balance of trade

Bulgaria Sudan
Current account balance
-$1.74B
2024
-$4.44B
2022
Current account balance ranking
138/190
2024
165/190
2022
Current account balance, % of GDP
-1.54%
2024
-8.6%
2022
Goods imports
$52.8B
2024
$9.99B
2022
Goods exports
$47.3B
2024
$4.36B
2022
Service imports
$8.26B
2024
$1.59B
2022
Service exports
$16.6B
2024
$1.55B
2022
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
53.9%
2024
1.27%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
56.4%
2024
0.72%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Bulgaria Sudan
Economic freedom 68.9 32.5
Economic freedom ranking 44/197 191/197
Property rights 75.8 6.5
Government integrity 48.4 13.8
Judicial effectiveness 58.5 2.4
Tax burden 89.1 84.7
Government spending 58.4 96.5
Fiscal health 90.4 64.6
Business freedom 78.2 27.3
Labor freedom 62.4 33.6
Monetary freedom 75.8 6.2
Trade freedom 79.4 29.6
Investment freedom 60 5
Financial freedom 50 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Bulgaria
Sudan
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Bulgaria Sudan
2026 68.9 32.5
2025 68.8 35.3
2024 68.5 33.9
2023 69.3 32.8
2022 71 32
2021 70.4 39.1
2020 70.2 45
2019 69 47.7
2018 68.3 49.4
2017 67.9 48.8
2016 65.9 -
2015 66.8 -
2014 65.7 -
2013 65 -
2012 64.7 -
2011 64.9 -
2010 62.3 -
2009 64.6 -
2008 63.7 -
2007 62.7 -
2006 64.1 -
2005 62.3 -
2004 59.2 -
2003 57 -
2002 57.1 -
2001 51.9 -
2000 47.3 47.2
1999 46.2 39.6
1998 45.7 38.3
1997 47.6 39.9
1996 48.6 39.2
1995 50 39.4

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Bulgaria is 68.9, ranking 44/197, compared to 32.5 for Sudan, ranking 191/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Bulgaria Sudan
Services, % of GDP
63.8%
2024
54.7%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
21.1%
2024
23.2%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
2.35%
2024
22.2%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$99B
2024
$35.8B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$39,850
2024
$2,050
2024
Total reserves including gold
$43.7B
2024
$178M
2017
Total reserves ranking
47/177
2024
171/177
2017
Net foreign direct investment
-$2.22B
2024
-$574M
2022
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$3.55B
2024
$548M
2023
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$1.13B
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
6.8%
2024
0.42%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
21.7%
2023
46.5%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
20.4%
2024
2.89%
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/sudan | CC BY

Compare countries by 7 more topics

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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 (2018–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  9. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2020, retrieved 2026-02-20)

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.