NSI “boosted” Bulgaria's economic growth
The economy is driven solely by household and government consumption
~ 2 min read
Economic.bg The National Statistical Institute (NSI) significantly raised its figures for Bulgaria's economic growth in the second quarter. The preliminary figures published on August 14 showed 3.1% real GDP growth, while on Friday the first revision raised them to 3.4%.
In fact, the NSI has raised its estimates for the previous two quarters – the first of 2025 and the fourth of 2024 – to 3.4% and 3.3% on an annual basis, respectively.
The breakdown by components of gross domestic product (GDP) shows that growth is driven solely by consumption – by households (8.3% increase) and the government (11.5% increase). The situation with exports (4.8% decline) and investments (1.3% decline) is only getting worse.
GDP in value terms, current prices
In the second quarter of 2025, GDP amounted to BGN 52.4 billion at current prices, according to preliminary data. Per capita GDP amounted to BGN 8,140.
The gross value added (GVA) generated by the sectors of the national economy in the second quarter of 2025 amounted to BGN 45.3 billion at current prices.
In the second quarter of 2025, the relative share of the agricultural sector in the added value of the economy was 2.8%, which shows an increase of 0.3 percentage points compared to the second quarter of 2024.
The industrial sector reduced its relative share in the added value of the economy by 0.1 percentage points to 27.4%.
The relative share of value added generated by activities in the services sector is 69.8%, decreasing in the second quarter of 2025 by 0.2 percentage points compared to the second quarter of 2024.
In the second quarter of 2025, 80.1% of GDP was spent on final consumption. Investments (gross fixed capital formation) accounted for 19% of GDP. The foreign trade balance in goods and services was positive.
Quarterly changes
In the second quarter of 2025, GDP grew by 0.9% compared to the previous quarter, according to preliminary and seasonally adjusted data. Gross value added in the economy grew by 0.7% on a quarterly basis.
Final consumption increased by 1.8% compared to the previous quarter. Exports of goods and services increased by 0.7%, while imports of goods and services decreased by 1.4% compared to the previous quarter.
Translated with DeepL.
