Gross public sector debt as a share of gross domestic product in Bulgaria
Bulgaria: Gross public sector debt as a share of gross domestic product was 23.3% in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Gross public sector debt as a share of gross domestic product in Bulgaria, 2000–2024
Source: World Bank – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
The most recent figure for gross public sector debt as a share of gross domestic product in Bulgaria is 23.3%, measured in 2024.
The figure is up 4.2% on the previous year and down 12.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, gross public sector debt as a share of gross domestic product in Bulgaria peaked at 70.4% in 2000 and was at its lowest, 12.7%, in 2008.
That places Bulgaria 44th out of 49 countries with data for 2024, putting it in the bottom quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Gross public sector debt as a share of gross domestic product in Bulgaria, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 70.4% | — |
| 2001 | 64.2% | -8.8% |
| 2002 | 51.0% | -20.6% |
| 2003 | 43.2% | -15.2% |
| 2004 | 35.6% | -17.7% |
| 2005 | 26.3% | -26.1% |
| 2006 | 20.6% | -21.8% |
| 2007 | 16.0% | -22.2% |
| 2008 | 12.7% | -20.5% |
| 2009 | 13.2% | +4.0% |
| 2010 | 14.7% | +11.3% |
| 2011 | 14.6% | -0.9% |
| 2012 | 16.1% | +10.6% |
| 2013 | 16.7% | +3.6% |
| 2014 | 26.7% | +59.7% |
| 2015 | 25.6% | -4.2% |
| 2016 | 28.7% | +12.1% |
| 2017 | 24.8% | -13.5% |
| 2018 | 21.7% | -12.6% |
| 2019 | 19.6% | -9.8% |
| 2020 | 23.9% | +21.9% |
| 2021 | 23.3% | -2.2% |
| 2022 | 22.0% | -5.5% |
| 2023 | 22.4% | +1.6% |
| 2024 | 23.3% | +4.2% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 35.3% | 12.7% | 70.4% | 10 |
| 2010s | 20.9% | 14.6% | 28.7% | 10 |
| 2020s | 23.0% | 22.0% | 23.9% | 5 |
Countries ranked near Bulgaria
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)
- Industry (including construction), value added (current US$), annual 15.8 % change on previous year (2025)
- Industry (including construction), value added (current US$), per 0.2121 current US$ per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Industry (including construction), value added (current US$), per 4,312 current US$ per person (2025)
- Industry (including construction), value added (current LCU), annual 11.15 % change on previous year (2025)
- Industry (including construction), value added (current LCU), per 0.1882 current LCU per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Industry (including construction), value added (current LCU), per 3,825 current LCU per person (2025)
- Industry (including construction), value added (constant 2015 US$) -1.44 % change on previous year (2025)
- Industry (including construction), value added (constant 2015 US$) 0.093 constant 2015 US$ per US$ of GDP (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is gross public sector debt as a share of gross domestic product in Bulgaria?
- Gross public sector debt as a share of gross domestic product in Bulgaria was 23.3% in 2024, according to World Bank – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest gross public sector debt as a share of gross domestic product recorded in Bulgaria?
- The highest recorded value was 70.4% in 2000.
- What is the lowest gross public sector debt as a share of gross domestic product recorded in Bulgaria?
- The lowest recorded value was 12.7% in 2008.
- How does Bulgaria rank for gross public sector debt as a share of gross domestic product?
- Bulgaria ranks 44th out of 49 countries with data for 2024.
- Is gross public sector debt as a share of gross domestic product rising or falling in Bulgaria?
- Over the last ten years it is down 12.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Bulgaria data come from?
- The figures come from World Bank – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Gross public sector debt as a share of gross domestic product. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Gross public sector debt, Central Government, as a proportion of GDP (%).