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Economy of Bulgaria vs United Arab Emirates compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Bulgaria has a GDP of $113B compared to $552B for the United Arab Emirates, ranking 67/197 and 27/197 by economy size, respectively.

Bulgaria has $27.3B in government debt (24.1% of GDP), compared to $193B (34.9% of GDP) in the United Arab Emirates.

Bulgaria vs United Arab Emirates GDP by year

Bulgaria
United Arab Emirates
1x
Year GDP, current $
Bulgaria UAE
2024 $113,343,355,780 $552,324,846,835
2023 $102,199,231,385 $522,622,191,967
2022 $90,506,153,294 $511,403,403,676
2021 $84,374,613,233 $422,441,388,700
2020 $70,486,877,546 $357,161,878,829
2019 $68,507,731,354 $433,926,208,305
2018 $66,097,226,262 $440,560,108,918
2017 $59,167,647,388 $403,365,010,211
2016 $53,929,397,039 $381,717,086,453
2015 $50,765,918,159 $381,973,042,886
2014 $57,080,897,012 $424,935,874,745
2013 $55,819,262,375 $409,632,675,289
2012 $54,297,052,002 $392,793,464,942
2011 $57,681,293,007 $368,881,143,635
2010 $50,689,051,382 $307,736,419,333
2009 $52,023,801,230 $253,547,358,747
2008 $54,480,684,188 $315,474,615,739
2007 $44,431,257,129 $257,916,133,424
2006 $34,380,536,496 $222,116,541,865
2005 $29,868,657,858 $180,617,467,965
2004 $26,157,743,369 $147,824,370,320
2003 $21,144,957,990 $124,346,358,067
2002 $16,403,043,850 $109,816,201,498
2001 $14,183,446,026 $103,311,640,572
2000 $13,245,990,274 $104,337,372,362
1999 $13,637,098,579 $84,445,473,111
1998 $15,031,055,047 $75,674,336,283
1997 $11,316,127,379 $78,839,008,445
1996 $12,294,964,838 $73,571,233,996
1995 $18,991,484,420 $65,743,666,576
1994 $9,709,240,034 $59,305,093,980
1993 $10,832,064,942 $55,625,170,253
1992 $8,602,887,623 $54,239,171,888
1991 $7,628,738,475 $51,552,165,622
1990 $20,632,090,909 $50,701,443,748
1989 $21,988,444,444 $41,464,995,914
1988 $22,555,941,176 $36,275,674,203
1987 $28,101,000,000 $36,384,908,744
1986 $20,249,294,118 $33,943,612,095
1985 $17,155,421,053 $40,603,650,232
1984 $17,594,944,444 $41,807,954,236
1983 $16,563,666,667 $42,803,323,345
1982 $19,342,000,000 $46,622,718,605
1981 $19,870,000,000 $49,333,424,135
1980 $19,839,230,769 $43,599,160,050
1979 - $31,225,659,621
1978 - $23,775,764,225
1977 - $24,871,775,165
1976 - $19,213,158,779
1975 - $14,720,728,249
1974 - $11,651,505,689
1973 - $4,231,243,616
1972 - $1,415,086,929
1971 - $939,893,600
1970 - $685,986,701

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1970–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/bulgaria/united-arab-emirates | CC BY

GDP per capita in Bulgaria vs United Arab Emirates by year

Bulgaria
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
United Arab Emirates
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Bulgaria UAE
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $17,596 $41,969 $50,274 $79,229
2023 $15,853 $38,829 $49,851 $77,955
2022 $13,999 $36,320 $50,760 $75,072
2021 $12,966 $30,959 $44,119 $68,580
2020 $10,760 $27,352 $37,992 $66,791
2019 $10,354 $26,766 $45,939 $79,816
2018 $9,849 $23,998 $47,135 $77,446
2017 $8,697 $22,317 $43,734 $70,282
2016 $7,822 $20,746 $42,721 $69,987
2015 $7,269 $18,896 $44,910 $73,986
2014 $8,070 $17,991 $52,725 $87,478
2013 $7,796 $16,894 $53,247 $87,526
2012 $7,432 $16,327 $53,142 $89,198
2011 $7,850 $15,747 $51,922 $89,665
2010 $6,854 $14,954 $44,795 $85,120
2009 $6,988 $14,188 $37,803 $84,780
2008 $7,271 $14,347 $50,054 $94,628
2007 $5,889 $12,822 $45,855 $100,813
2006 $4,523 $11,406 $44,343 $106,814
2005 $3,900 $10,291 $38,719 $101,301
2004 $3,390 $9,200 $33,377 $98,661
2003 $2,719 $8,416 $29,660 $92,636
2002 $2,093 $7,786 $27,754 $88,467
2001 $1,771 $6,960 $27,745 $90,370
2000 $1,621 $6,424 $29,866 $92,899
1999 $1,661 $5,808 $25,856 $87,658
1998 $1,820 $6,178 $24,889 $90,229
1997 $1,361 $5,751 $27,983 $96,009
1996 $1,470 $6,849 $28,323 $94,620
1995 $2,259 $7,743 $27,003 $93,702
1994 $1,150 $7,338 $25,473 $89,959
1993 $1,279 $7,032 $25,033 $86,330
1992 $1,007 $6,917 $25,648 $87,509
1991 $884 $7,215 $25,691 $87,250
1990 $2,367 $7,548 $26,710 $88,455
1989 $2,477 - $23,167 -
1988 $2,511 - $21,570 -
1987 $3,132 - $23,113 -
1986 $2,260 - $23,132 -
1985 $1,915 - $29,468 -
1984 $1,964 - $32,012 -
1983 $1,853 - $34,650 -
1982 $2,169 - $39,972 -
1981 $2,235 - $44,854 -
1980 $2,239 - $42,925 -
1979 - - $34,238 -
1978 - - $29,379 -
1977 - - $35,020 -
1976 - - $31,197 -
1975 - - $27,117 -
1974 - - $23,823 -
1973 - - $9,696 -
1972 - - $3,675 -
1971 - - $2,805 -
1970 - - $2,394 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1970–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/bulgaria/united-arab-emirates | CC BY

Bulgaria's GDP per capita is $17,596, ranking 64/197, compared to $50,274 in the United Arab Emirates, ranking 24/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Bulgaria ranks 54th at $41,969, while the United Arab Emirates ranks 16th at $79,229.

Economic indicators

Bulgaria UAE
Gross domestic product
$113B
2024
$552B
2024
GDP rank
67/197
2024
27/197
2024
GDP growth
3.39%
2023-2024
3.99%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$17,596
2024
$50,274
2024
GDP per capita rank
64/197
2024
24/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$41,969
2024
$79,229
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
54/197
2024
16/197
2024
Government debt
$27.3B
2024
$193B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
24.1%
2024
34.9%
2024
Government debt per person
$4,237
2024
$17,568
2024
Government debt per person rank
90/185
2024
36/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$14,263
2026
$40,522
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$8.41B
2024
$1.05T
2024
Number of millionaires n/a
339,000
2025
Number of billionaires
2
2025
6
2025
Income share by richest 10%
31.1%
2023
20.5%
2018
Income share by poorest 10%
2.1%
2023
2.8%
2018
Government expenditure, % of GDP
36.7%
2024
21.4%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.6%
2023-2024
1.7%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
1.81%
2025
3.65%
2025
Unemployment rate
4.17%
2024
1.88%
2024
Population
6359449
11686438

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Bulgaria
Spending

Debt
United Arab Emirates
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Bulgaria UAE
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 36.7% 24.1% 21.4% 34.9%
2023 37.4% 22.9% 22.7% 31.9%
2022 37.6% 22.5% 22.7% 31.5%
2021 38.4% 23.8% 25.9% 35.7%
2020 37.6% 22.7% 30.5% 30.1%
2019 36% 18.4% 27.4% 25.8%
2018 34.4% 20.1% 25.9% 20.7%
2017 32% 22.9% 27.2% 21.2%
2016 32.7% 27% 31.7% 18.6%
2015 37.3% 25.4% 26.4% 15.6%
2014 37.1% 26.3% 31.4% 13.5%
2013 35.5% 17.2% 28.9% 15.3%
2012 32.5% 16.5% 27.8% 20.2%
2011 32% 14.3% 29.6% 20.4%
2010 34.6% 14.1% 30.4% 18.3%
2009 33.8% 14.5% 35% 21.1%
2008 33.5% 14.7% 22% 8.95%
2007 33.1% 17.6% 17.7% 8.89%
2006 32.5% 22.6% 15.6% 5.05%
2005 34% 28.5% 15.7% 4.48%
2004 34.6% 37.8% 17.7% 4.08%
2003 35.8% 45.4% 20% 3.33%
2002 35.1% 53.4% 21.3% 3.43%
2001 36.5% 67.1% 25.2% 2.69%
2000 37.1% 73.3% 21.8% 3.12%
1999 36.2% 78.7% 24.3% 4.73%
1998 30.6% 67.3% 25.8% 4.18%
1997 32.9% 88.4% 22.6% 2.86%
1996 44% 113.8% 27.6% 3.48%
1995 45.4% 72% 26.1% 5.06%
1994 - - 30.1% 5.58%
1993 - - 31.5% 6.01%
1992 - - 29.6% 5.31%
1991 - - 36% 4.97%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1991–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1991–1998, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/bulgaria/united-arab-emirates | CC BY

In 2024, Bulgaria's government spending was $41.5B, accounting for 36.7% of its GDP, while the United Arab Emirates spent $118B, or 21.4% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 24.1% in Bulgaria and 34.9% in the United Arab Emirates, ranking 169/185 and 146/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Bulgaria

United Arab Emirates
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Bulgaria UAE
2024 -3.04% 6.41%
2023 -3.03% 5.82%
2022 -0.8% 9.8%
2021 -2.8% 3.96%
2020 -2.92% -2.42%
2019 -0.96% 2.5%
2018 0.12% 3.65%
2017 0.82% -0.16%
2016 1.54% -2.95%
2015 -2.77% -6.35%
2014 -3.65% 1.74%
2013 -1.75% 7.99%
2012 -0.43% 8.59%
2011 -1.83% 5.05%
2010 -3.77% 0.52%
2009 -0.86% -6.13%
2008 2.73% 17.6%
2007 3.09% 17.1%
2006 3.22% 20.2%
2005 2.19% 16%
2004 1.59% 6.4%
2003 0.003% 2.35%
2002 -0.61% -1.24%
2001 -0.58% 1.21%
2000 -0.6% 10.7%
1999 0.15% 1.31%
1998 1.08% 1%
1997 0.83% 6.71%
1996 -10.1% 0.92%
1995 -7.98% 3.58%
1994 - -1.78%
1993 - -2.89%
1992 - 3.34%
1991 - 3.89%
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/united-arab-emirates | 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 the United Arab Emirates' surplus of $35.4B, or 6.41% of GDP.

Over the past 30 years, Bulgaria recorded a fiscal deficit in 18 of those years, while the United Arab Emirates ran a deficit in 6 years. On average, Bulgaria posted an annual deficit equal to 1.04% of GDP, compared to surplus of 4.73% of GDP for the United Arab Emirates.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Bulgaria

United Arab Emirates
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Bulgaria UAE
2024 2.6% 1.7%
2023 8.6% 1.6%
2022 13% 4.8%
2021 2.8% -0.1%
2020 1.2% -2.1%
2019 2.5% -1.9%
2018 2.6% 3.1%
2017 1.2% 2%
2016 -1.3% 1.6%
2015 -1.1% 4.1%
2014 -1.6% 2.3%
2013 0.4% 1.1%
2012 2.4% 0.7%
2011 3.4% 0.9%
2010 3% 0.9%
2009 2.5% -4.7%
2008 12% 12.3%
2007 7.6% 11.1%
2006 7.4% 9.3%
2005 6% 6.2%
2004 6.1% 5%
2003 2.3% 3.1%
2002 5.8% 2.9%
2001 7.4% 2.8%
2000 10.3% 1.3%
1999 2.6% 2.1%
1998 18.7% 2%
1997 1,061% 3%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/bulgaria/united-arab-emirates | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Bulgaria has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 42.5%, compared with 2.75% in the United Arab Emirates. In 2024, inflation was 2.6% in Bulgaria and 1.7% in the United Arab Emirates.

Top exports between countries

Bulgaria
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $95.9M
Chemicals & pharma $19.9M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $16.3M
Textiles & consumer goods $12.6M
Metals $6.65M
Raw materials & minerals $5.46M
Wood & paper products $3.83M
Animal & marine products $1.42M
Raw agricultural goods $947K
Precious metals & jewellery $808K
UAE
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $46.2M
Chemicals & pharma $5.75M
Metals $5.66M
Textiles & consumer goods $3.97M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $2.17M
Raw materials & minerals $1.54M
Raw agricultural goods $1.39M
Wood & paper products $310K
Precious metals & jewellery $246K
Animal & marine products $48K

Balance of trade

Bulgaria UAE
Current account balance
-$1.74B
2024
$80B
2024
Current account balance ranking
138/190
2024
9/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-1.54%
2024
+14.5%
2024
Goods imports
$52.8B
2024
$400B
2024
Goods exports
$47.3B
2024
$467B
2024
Service imports
$8.26B
2024
$117B
2024
Service exports
$16.6B
2024
$181B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
53.9%
2024
92.2%
2023
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
56.4%
2024
106.8%
2023

Economic freedom indices

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

Bulgaria UAE
Economic freedom 68.9 71.9
Economic freedom ranking 44/197 29/197
Property rights 75.8 62.9
Government integrity 48.4 65.3
Judicial effectiveness 58.5 34.4
Tax burden 89.1 99.9
Government spending 58.4 85.1
Fiscal health 90.4 97.6
Business freedom 78.2 84.5
Labor freedom 62.4 63.2
Monetary freedom 75.8 81.2
Trade freedom 79.4 78.6
Investment freedom 60 50
Financial freedom 50 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Bulgaria
United Arab Emirates
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Bulgaria UAE
2026 68.9 71.9
2025 68.8 71.6
2024 68.5 71.1
2023 69.3 70.9
2022 71 70.2
2021 70.4 76.9
2020 70.2 76.2
2019 69 77.6
2018 68.3 77.6
2017 67.9 76.9
2016 65.9 72.6
2015 66.8 72.4
2014 65.7 71.4
2013 65 71.1
2012 64.7 69.3
2011 64.9 67.8
2010 62.3 67.3
2009 64.6 64.7
2008 63.7 62.6
2007 62.7 62.6
2006 64.1 62.2
2005 62.3 65.2
2004 59.2 67.2
2003 57 73.4
2002 57.1 73.6
2001 51.9 74.9
2000 47.3 74.2
1999 46.2 71.5
1998 45.7 72.2
1997 47.6 71.9
1996 48.6 71.6
1995 50 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/bulgaria/united-arab-emirates | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Bulgaria is 68.9, ranking 44/197, compared to 71.9 for the United Arab Emirates, ranking 29/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Bulgaria UAE
Services, % of GDP
63.8%
2024
54.9%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
21.1%
2024
44.3%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
2.35%
2024
0.77%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$99B
2024
$566B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$39,850
2024
$81,530
2024
Total reserves including gold
$43.7B
2024
$238B
2024
Total reserves ranking
47/177
2024
14/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$2.22B
2024
$31.5B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$3.55B
2024
$45.6B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$1.13B
2024
$77.2B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
6.8%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
21.7%
2023
19.5%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
20.4%
2024
26.6%
2023

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/united-arab-emirates | CC BY

Compare countries by 7 more topics

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1970–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1991–2024, 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 (1924–1998, 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)
  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.