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Economy of Bulgaria vs Venezuela compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Bulgaria has a GDP of $131B compared to $99.7B for Venezuela, ranking 63/197 and 78/197 by economy size, respectively.

Bulgaria has $35.4B in government debt (27.1% of GDP), compared to $308B (309% of GDP) in Venezuela.

Bulgaria vs Venezuela GDP by year

Bulgaria
Venezuela
1x
Year GDP, current $
Bulgaria Venezuela
2025 $130,777,235,530 $99,661,244,156
2024 $113,349,149,167 $120,566,112,397
2023 $102,204,457,335 $102,377,501,186
2022 $90,510,784,778 $89,013,251,021
2021 $84,378,926,047 $56,615,026,263
2020 $70,490,478,088 $42,837,965,907
2019 $68,511,235,459 $73,014,157,108
2018 $66,100,606,677 $101,987,075,929
2017 $59,170,671,046 $115,892,475,743
2016 $53,932,152,154 $112,948,035,495
2015 $50,768,512,173 $125,249,941,854
2014 $57,083,817,240 $214,838,755,022
2013 $55,822,115,861 $258,512,396,298
2012 $54,299,825,600 $371,846,610,182
2011 $57,684,243,980 $316,482,190,800
2010 $50,691,645,231 $393,192,354,511
2009 $52,026,461,290 $329,787,628,928
2008 $54,483,464,293 $315,953,388,511
2007 $44,433,521,725 $230,364,012,576
2006 $34,382,295,487 $183,477,522,124
2005 $29,870,182,425 $145,513,489,652
2004 $26,159,078,743 $112,451,400,425
2003 $21,146,038,619 $83,620,628,582
2002 $16,403,880,783 $92,893,587,734
2001 $14,184,170,319 $122,911,036,747
2000 $13,246,669,554 $117,146,466,003
1999 $13,637,793,854 $97,972,842,462
1998 $15,031,821,788 $91,336,763,255
1997 $11,316,706,412 $85,837,678,560
1996 $12,295,588,924 $70,543,211,119
1995 $18,992,388,645 $77,389,487,770
1994 $9,709,230,161 $58,418,666,667
1993 $10,832,041,595 $60,037,460,783
1992 $8,602,874,120 $60,416,519,620
1991 $7,628,764,750 $53,453,444,787
1990 $20,726,605,649 $48,606,952,195
1989 $21,746,286,447 $43,536,709,104
1988 $23,003,003,708 $60,226,413,793
1987 $28,428,718,531 $48,029,034,483
1986 $20,261,546,635 $60,516,123,711
1985 $17,562,270,447 $61,965,466,667
1984 $17,410,894,971 $59,867,743,468
1983 $16,959,180,922 $67,556,279,070
1982 $19,803,624,625 $67,736,744,186
1981 $20,055,685,481 $66,327,441,860
1980 $20,039,544,133 $59,116,511,628
1979 - $48,310,930,233
1978 - $39,316,279,070
1977 - $36,210,697,674
1976 - $31,419,534,884
1975 - $27,464,651,163
1974 - $26,100,930,233
1973 - $17,035,581,395
1972 - $13,977,727,273
1971 - $12,986,590,909
1970 - $11,561,111,111
1969 - $10,285,111,111
1968 - $10,034,444,444
1967 - $9,250,000,000
1966 - $8,781,333,333
1965 - $8,427,777,778
1964 - $8,192,413,793
1963 - $9,608,717,288
1962 - $8,814,309,884
1961 - $8,067,267,031
1960 - $7,663,938,303

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

GDP per capita in Bulgaria vs Venezuela by year

Bulgaria
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Venezuela
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Bulgaria Venezuela
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $20,328 - $3,495 -
2024 $17,597 $41,969 $4,244 -
2023 $15,854 $38,829 $3,617 -
2022 $14,000 $36,320 $3,155 -
2021 $12,967 $30,959 $2,005 -
2020 $10,761 $27,352 $1,506 -
2019 $10,354 $26,766 $2,523 -
2018 $9,850 $23,998 $3,422 -
2017 $8,697 $22,317 $3,792 -
2016 $7,823 $20,746 $3,671 -
2015 $7,269 $18,896 $4,097 -
2014 $8,070 $17,991 $7,101 -
2013 $7,796 $16,894 $8,642 -
2012 $7,432 $16,327 $12,582 -
2011 $7,850 $15,747 $10,844 $21,241
2010 $6,854 $14,954 $13,646 $20,236
2009 $6,989 $14,188 $11,597 $20,562
2008 $7,272 $14,347 $11,262 $21,402
2007 $5,889 $12,822 $8,332 $20,236
2006 $4,523 $11,406 $6,739 $18,399
2005 $3,900 $10,291 $5,432 $16,511
2004 $3,390 $9,200 $4,269 $14,757
2003 $2,720 $8,416 $3,230 $12,359
2002 $2,093 $7,786 $3,652 $13,375
2001 $1,771 $6,960 $4,920 $14,714
2000 $1,621 $6,424 $4,776 $14,174
1999 $1,661 $5,808 $4,071 $13,623
1998 $1,821 $6,178 $3,870 $14,568
1997 $1,361 $5,751 $3,711 $14,655
1996 $1,470 $6,849 $3,113 $13,824
1995 $2,259 $7,743 $3,487 $13,890
1994 $1,150 $7,338 $2,689 $13,370
1993 $1,279 $7,032 $2,825 $13,702
1992 $1,007 $6,917 $2,907 $13,652
1991 $884 $7,215 $2,633 $12,880
1990 $2,377 $7,548 $2,452 $11,628
1989 $2,450 - $2,250 -
1988 $2,561 - $3,191 -
1987 $3,169 - $2,611 -
1986 $2,262 - $3,376 -
1985 $1,960 - $3,549 -
1984 $1,943 - $3,520 -
1983 $1,897 - $4,079 -
1982 $2,221 - $4,202 -
1981 $2,256 - $4,228 -
1980 $2,261 - $3,874 -
1979 - - $3,257 -
1978 - - $2,727 -
1977 - - $2,585 -
1976 - - $2,309 -
1975 - - $2,078 -
1974 - - $2,034 -
1973 - - $1,367 -
1972 - - $1,155 -
1971 - - $1,106 -
1970 - - $1,015 -
1969 - - $932 -
1968 - - $938 -
1967 - - $893 -
1966 - - $876 -
1965 - - $869 -
1964 - - $874 -
1963 - - $1,060 -
1962 - - $1,007 -
1961 - - $954 -
1960 - - $939 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Bulgaria's GDP per capita is $20,328, ranking 58/197, compared to $3,495 in Venezuela, ranking 138/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Bulgaria ranks 54th at $41,969, while Venezuela ranks 93rd at $21,241.

Economic indicators

Bulgaria Venezuela
Gross domestic product
$131B
2025
$99.7B
2025
GDP rank
63/197
2025
78/197
2025
GDP growth
3.1%
2024-2025
1.57%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$20,328
2025
$3,495
2025
GDP per capita rank
58/197
2025
138/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$41,969
2024
$21,241
2011
GDP per capita PPP rank
54/197
2024
93/197
2011
Government debt
$35.4B
2025
$308B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
27.1%
2025
309%
2025
Government debt per person
$5,507
2025
$10,790
2025
Government debt per person rank
79/185
2025
58/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$16,126
2026
$2,659
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$11.2B
2025
$3.98B
2002
Number of billionaires
2
2026
1
2026
Income share by richest 10%
31.1%
2023
33.2%
2006
Income share by poorest 10%
2.1%
2023
1.2%
2006
Government expenditure, % of GDP
38.9%
2025
20.3%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
3.5%
2024-2025
252%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
1.81%
2025
58.9%
2026
Unemployment rate
3.5%
2025
7.53%
2020
Population
6390149
28692435

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Bulgaria
Spending

Debt
Venezuela
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Bulgaria Venezuela
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 38.9% 27.1% 20.3% 309%
2024 36.3% 23.8% 17.5% 169.1%
2023 37.5% 22.9% 13.1% 138.5%
2022 37.6% 22.5% 15.1% 164.4%
2021 38.5% 23.9% 13.1% 254.2%
2020 37.7% 22.7% 11.2% 337%
2019 36.1% 18.4% 21% 206%
2018 34.4% 20.1% 37.9% 175.3%
2017 32% 22.9% 21.8% 133.6%
2016 32.7% 27% 19.7% 138.4%
2015 37.3% 25.4% 22.9% 129.8%
2014 37.1% 26.3% 31.6% 84.9%
2013 35.5% 17.2% 36.5% 85.4%
2012 32.5% 16.5% 38% 58.4%
2011 32% 14.3% 39.4% 52.5%
2010 34.6% 14.1% 31.1% 37.7%
2009 33.8% 14.5% 33.3% 27.6%
2008 33.5% 14.7% 34.9% 20.3%
2007 33.1% 17.6% 35.9% 26.4%
2006 32.5% 22.6% 39.3% 25.7%
2005 34% 28.5% 33.5% 34.9%
2004 34.6% 37.8% 31.9% 41.8%
2003 35.8% 45.4% 32.2% 56%
2002 35.1% 53.4% 31% 48.2%
2001 36.5% 67.1% 31.9% 30.7%
2000 37.1% 73.3% 28.3% 27.7%
1999 36.2% 78.7% 26.1% 29.6%
1998 30.6% 67.3% 28.8% 30.7%
1997 32.9% 88.4% 31% 34.8%
1996 44% 113.8% 27.7% 45.9%
1995 45.4% 72% 32.9% 45.9%
1994 - - 42.2% 63.9%
1993 - - 27.7% 57.7%
1992 - - 30.6% 54.8%
1991 - - 33.9% 62.2%
1990 - - 31.9% 63.3%
1989 - - 32.5% 61.8%
1988 - - 33.2% 46.3%
1987 - - 25.1% 58.3%
1986 - - 21.5% 45.9%
1985 - - 20.3% 34.1%
1984 - - 19.7% 36.4%
1983 - - 25.3% 21.4%
1982 - - 29% 18.6%
1981 - - 29.6% 18.9%
1980 - - 22% 16.6%
1979 - - 22.3% 19.2%
1978 - - 29.2% 16.6%
1977 - - 30.6% 12.7%
1976 - - 26.6% 9.64%
1975 - - 33.8% 8.31%
1974 - - 35.3% 7.72%
1973 - - 20% 9.78%
1972 - - 21.3% 10.6%
1971 - - 19.6% 9.64%
1970 - - 19.5% 10.6%
1969 - - 21% 9.91%
1968 - - 19.8% 7.84%
1967 - - 19.8% 6.74%
1966 - - 19.1% 5.84%
1965 - - 18.7% 5.46%
1964 - - 17.9% 4.95%
1963 - - 18.7% 6.3%
1962 - - 17.6% 7.24%
1961 - - 11.8% 8.79%
1960 - - 23.7% 8.28%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1997, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Bulgaria's government spending was $50.8B, accounting for 38.9% of its GDP, while Venezuela spent $20.2B, or 20.3% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 27.1% in Bulgaria and 309% in Venezuela, ranking 164/185 and 1/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Bulgaria

Venezuela
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Bulgaria Venezuela
2025 -3.01% -5.84%
2024 -3.01% -3.67%
2023 -3.04% -1.25%
2022 -0.8% -5.29%
2021 -2.8% -5.85%
2020 -2.92% -6.63%
2019 -0.96% -10.9%
2018 0.12% -31%
2017 0.82% -13.3%
2016 1.54% -8.46%
2015 -2.77% -8.06%
2014 -3.65% -9.81%
2013 -1.75% -10.4%
2012 -0.43% -9.86%
2011 -1.83% -8.24%
2010 -3.77% -4.74%
2009 -0.86% -8.69%
2008 2.73% -3.46%
2007 3.09% -2.82%
2006 3.22% -1.6%
2005 2.19% 4.09%
2004 1.59% 2.47%
2003 0.003% 0.17%
2002 -0.61% -1.48%
2001 -0.58% -4.59%
2000 -0.6% 4.45%
1999 0.15% 0.74%
1998 1.08% -4.49%
1997 0.83% 2.58%
1996 -10.1% 7.94%
1995 -7.98% -5.86%
1994 - -11.2%
1993 - -2.92%
1992 - -6.37%
1991 - -2.28%
1990 - 3.84%
1989 - -0.91%
1988 - -9.24%
1987 - -7.47%
1986 - 0.82%
1985 - 6.97%
1984 - 5.33%
1983 - 1.24%
1982 - -0.17%
1981 - 4.74%
1980 - 4.41%
1979 - -3.07%
1978 - -5.44%
1977 - -4.69%
1976 - 1.65%
1975 - 0.88%
1974 - 2.76%
1973 - 1.98%
1972 - 0.42%
1971 - 0.78%
1970 - -1.22%
1969 - -2.17%
1968 - -0.32%
1967 - 0.51%
1966 - 0.23%
1965 - 0.39%
1964 - 1.91%
1963 - 1.92%
1962 - 2.14%
1961 - -1.91%
1960 - -4.08%
1959 - -4.98%
1958 - -4.86%
1957 - 6.7%
1956 - 0.76%
1955 - 0.38%
1954 - 1.84%
1953 - 0.03%
1952 - -0.5%
1951 - -0.24%
1950 - -0.23%
1949 - 0.15%
1948 - 1.27%
1947 - 0.09%
1946 - -0.9%
1945 - 2.9%
1944 0% 1.85%
1943 0% -0.27%
1942 -0.3% 0.2%
1941 3.96% 0.01%
1940 0.75% -1.07%
1939 0.72% -0.78%
1938 1% 0.68%
1937 1.41% 0.73%
1936 1.17% -0.52%
1935 1.34% -2.23%
1934 -0.12% 1.34%
1933 -0.56% 1.03%
1932 -2.14% 0.51%
1931 -3.07% 1.02%
1930 -5.48% -2.03%
1929 -6.67% -0.34%
1928 -1.09% -0.68%
1927 -0.02% 1.55%
1926 -0.25% 0.14%
1925 -0.97% 0.54%
1924 1.26% 0.37%
1923 - 1.32%
1922 - 1.57%
1921 - -0.97%
1920 - -1.75%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1920–1997, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/bulgaria/venezuela | 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 Venezuela's deficit of $5.82B, or 5.84% of GDP.

Over the past 31 years, Bulgaria recorded a fiscal deficit in 19 of those years, while Venezuela ran a deficit in 24 years. On average, Bulgaria posted an annual deficit equal to 1.1% of GDP, compared to deficit of 4.96% of GDP for Venezuela.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Bulgaria

Venezuela
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Bulgaria Venezuela
2025 3.5% 252%
2024 2.6% 49.4%
2023 8.6% 338%
2022 13% 186.5%
2021 2.8% 1,589%
2020 1.2% 2,355%
2019 2.5% 19,906%
2018 2.6% 65,374%
2017 1.2% 438%
2016 -1.3% 254.9%
2015 -1.1% 121.7%
2014 -1.6% 62.2%
2013 0.4% 40.6%
2012 2.4% 21.1%
2011 3.4% 26.1%
2010 3% 28.2%
2009 2.5% 26%
2008 12% 31.4%
2007 7.6% 18.7%
2006 7.4% 13.7%
2005 6% 16%
2004 6.1% 21.7%
2003 2.3% 31.1%
2002 5.8% 22.4%
2001 7.4% 12.5%
2000 10.3% 16.2%
1999 2.6% 23.6%
1998 18.7% 35.8%
1997 1,061% 50%

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

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

Over the past 29 years, Bulgaria has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 41.1%, compared with 3,150% in Venezuela. In 2025, inflation was 3.5% in Bulgaria and 252% in Venezuela.

Top exports between countries

Bulgaria
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $1.9M
Textiles & consumer goods $1.34M
Chemicals & pharma $717K
Transport & tourism services $540K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $291K
Raw agricultural goods $33K
Miscellaneous $15K
Wood & paper products $5K
Venezuela
Export category Export value

Balance of trade

Bulgaria Venezuela
Current account balance
-$7.64B
2025
-$3.87B
2016
Current account balance ranking
170/190
2025
155/190
2016
Current account balance, % of GDP
-5.84%
2025
-3.43%
2016
Goods imports
$58.5B
2025
$16.3B
2016
Goods exports
$47.9B
2025
$27.4B
2016
Service imports
$9.42B
2025
$9.47B
2016
Service exports
$18.6B
2025
$1.28B
2016
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
51.8%
2025
10.1%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
50.7%
2025
14.9%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Bulgaria Venezuela
Economic freedom 68.9 27.3
Economic freedom ranking 44/197 194/197
Property rights 75.8 0
Government integrity 48.4 6.9
Judicial effectiveness 58.5 5.1
Tax burden 89.1 73.4
Government spending 58.4 93
Fiscal health 90.4 29.1
Business freedom 78.2 31.1
Labor freedom 62.4 35.5
Monetary freedom 75.8 0
Trade freedom 79.4 43.2
Investment freedom 60 0
Financial freedom 50 10

Economic freedom comparison by year

Bulgaria
Venezuela
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Bulgaria Venezuela
2026 68.9 27.3
2025 68.8 27.6
2024 68.5 28.1
2023 69.3 25.8
2022 71 24.8
2021 70.4 24.7
2020 70.2 25.2
2019 69 25.9
2018 68.3 25.2
2017 67.9 27
2016 65.9 33.7
2015 66.8 34.3
2014 65.7 36.3
2013 65 36.1
2012 64.7 38.1
2011 64.9 37.6
2010 62.3 37.1
2009 64.6 39.9
2008 63.7 44.7
2007 62.7 47.9
2006 64.1 44.6
2005 62.3 45.2
2004 59.2 46.7
2003 57 54.8
2002 57.1 54.7
2001 51.9 54.6
2000 47.3 57.4
1999 46.2 56.1
1998 45.7 54
1997 47.6 52.8
1996 48.6 54.5
1995 50 59.8

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Bulgaria is 68.9, ranking 44/197, compared to 27.3 for Venezuela, ranking 194/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Bulgaria Venezuela
Services, % of GDP
63.3%
2025
51.7%
2014
Industry, % of GDP
21.2%
2025
37.2%
2014
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
2.47%
2025
5.03%
2014
GNI, Atlas method
$114B
2025
$110B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$42,170
2025
$20,840
2011
Total reserves including gold
$47.1B
2025
$9.79B
2017
Total reserves ranking
51/177
2025
80/177
2017
Net foreign direct investment
-$3.37B
2025
-$27M
2016
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$3.05B
2024
$1.63B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$1.21B
2024
$2.6B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
6.8%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
21.7%
2023
33.1%
2015
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
21.7%
2025
5.93%
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/venezuela | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1920–1997, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. TradeMap (2022–2025, 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.