External balance on goods and services as a percent of GDP in Bulgaria
Bulgaria: External balance on goods and services as a percent of GDP was -1.0% in 2025. ◆ Volatile
External balance on goods and services as a percent of GDP in Bulgaria, 1980–2025
Source: National statistical organizations and central banks, OECD national accounts, and World Bank staff estimates (2026) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in % of GDP.
Analysis
The most recent figure for external balance on goods and services as a percent of gdp in Bulgaria is -1.0%, measured in 2025.
The figure is down 141.3% on the previous year and down 224.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, external balance on goods and services as a percent of gdp in Bulgaria peaked at 12.7% in 1997 and was at its lowest, -19.7%, in 2008.
That places Bulgaria 88th out of 191 countries with data for 2025, putting it in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
External balance on goods and services as a percent of GDP in Bulgaria, year by year
| Year | % of GDP | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1980 | 5.0% | — |
| 1981 | 1.1% | -77.7% |
| 1982 | 1.1% | -4.7% |
| 1983 | 0.2% | -80.3% |
| 1984 | 1.9% | +797.3% |
| 1985 | -0.4% | -121.7% |
| 1986 | -3.4% | +742.4% |
| 1987 | -1.8% | -46.6% |
| 1988 | -0.3% | -81.9% |
| 1989 | -1.7% | +424.7% |
| 1990 | -3.6% | +107.3% |
| 1991 | 4.3% | -218.5% |
| 1992 | -5.8% | -236.3% |
| 1993 | -7.6% | +30.9% |
| 1994 | -0.6% | -91.8% |
| 1995 | 9.4% | -1606.2% |
| 1996 | 11.2% | +18.7% |
| 1997 | 12.7% | +13.6% |
| 1998 | 6.8% | -46.1% |
| 1999 | -4.6% | -166.9% |
| 2000 | -5.3% | +16.0% |
| 2001 | -9.3% | +75.6% |
| 2002 | -8.0% | -14.4% |
| 2003 | -10.2% | +27.6% |
| 2004 | -11.2% | +9.5% |
| 2005 | -14.7% | +31.4% |
| 2006 | -17.1% | +16.6% |
| 2007 | -18.8% | +10.1% |
| 2008 | -19.7% | +4.8% |
| 2009 | -8.3% | -58.2% |
| 2010 | -3.2% | -61.4% |
| 2011 | 0.2% | -105.0% |
| 2012 | -3.3% | -2171.2% |
| 2013 | -0.6% | -83.0% |
| 2014 | -1.1% | +105.2% |
| 2015 | 0.8% | -172.9% |
| 2016 | 4.9% | +487.9% |
| 2017 | 4.3% | -11.6% |
| 2018 | 2.7% | -38.6% |
| 2019 | 3.3% | +25.1% |
| 2020 | 2.5% | -24.4% |
| 2021 | 2.5% | -1.6% |
| 2022 | 1.1% | -55.2% |
| 2023 | 4.1% | +269.0% |
| 2024 | 2.5% | -38.8% |
| 2025 | -1.0% | -141.3% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 0.2% | -3.4% | 5.0% | 10 |
| 1990s | 2.2% | -7.6% | 12.7% | 10 |
| 2000s | -12.2% | -19.7% | -5.3% | 10 |
| 2010s | 0.8% | -3.3% | 4.9% | 10 |
| 2020s | 2.0% | -1.0% | 4.1% | 6 |
Countries ranked near Bulgaria
- 85 Canada -0.8% compare
- 86 Japan -0.9% compare
- 87 Tanzania, United Republic of -1.0% compare
- 89 New Zealand -1.3% compare
- 90 United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland -1.3% compare
- 91 India -1.7% compare
More economy & growth data for Bulgaria
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 04 - Annual real GDP 3.48 Percent per annum (2029)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 02 - Annual real GDP 2.58 Percent per annum (2029)
- Foreign direct investment, net outflows (BoP, current US$), gaps 1.51 billion BoP, current US$ (2025)
- Foreign direct investment, net outflows (BoP, current US$), per unit 0.0116 BoP, current US$ per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Foreign direct investment, net outflows (BoP, current US$), per capita 234.99 BoP, current US$ per person (2025)
- Foreign direct investment, net inflows (BoP, current US$), gaps filled 4.88 billion BoP, current US$ (2025)
- Foreign direct investment, net inflows (BoP, current US$), annual 60.06 % change on previous year (2025)
- Foreign direct investment, net inflows (BoP, current US$), per unit 0.0373 BoP, current US$ per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Foreign direct investment, net inflows (BoP, current US$), per capita 759.02 BoP, current US$ per person (2025)
- Total reserves (includes gold, current US$), annual growth rate 7.89 % change on previous year (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is external balance on goods and services as a percent of gdp in Bulgaria?
- External balance on goods and services as a percent of gdp in Bulgaria was -1.0% in 2025, according to National statistical organizations and central banks, OECD national accounts, and World Bank staff estimates (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest external balance on goods and services as a percent of gdp recorded in Bulgaria?
- The highest recorded value was 12.7% in 1997.
- What is the lowest external balance on goods and services as a percent of gdp recorded in Bulgaria?
- The lowest recorded value was -19.7% in 2008.
- How does Bulgaria rank for external balance on goods and services as a percent of gdp?
- Bulgaria ranks 88th out of 191 countries with data for 2025.
- Is external balance on goods and services as a percent of gdp rising or falling in Bulgaria?
- Over the last ten years it is down 224.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Bulgaria data come from?
- The figures come from National statistical organizations and central banks, OECD national accounts, and World Bank staff estimates (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of External balance on goods and services as a percent of GDP. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Exports of goods and services minus imports of goods and services divided by gross domestic product, expressed as a percentage.