Bulgaria Budget Deficit
General government net lending/borrowing as % of GDP GGXCNL_NGDP
Bulgaria's budget deficit was -3.41% in 2025, ranked 112th globally. This represents a 12.3% decrease from 2024. Data from IMF WEO, covering 1998–2025.
Overview
Bulgaria's budget deficit stood at -3.41% in 2025, a decline of +0.37% from 2024. The IMF projects -3.41% by 2025. Bulgaria ranked 112th globally.
Bulgaria's budget deficit has undergone significant fluctuations over the past two and a half decades, with the country recording a peak deficit of 3.22 percent of GDP in 2006, a period characterized by high government spending and economic growth. Conversely, the trough of -3.77 percent of GDP in 2010 marked a period of fiscal consolidation, amidst a global economic downturn. In recent years, Bulgaria's budget deficit has narrowed, with the latest available data from the IMF World Economic Outlook (WEO) indicating a deficit of -3.41 percent of GDP in 2025, ranking 112th globally. Notably, this deficit is comparable to that of peer countries like Mali, which also reported a deficit of -3.39 percent of GDP in 2025. However, a sustained decline in government revenue or an increase in expenditures could potentially alter the trajectory of Bulgaria's budget deficit, necessitating a reevaluation of fiscal policies to maintain macroeconomic stability.
Data & projection
| Year | Budget Deficit | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2030* IMF | -3.14% | - | - |
| 2029* IMF | -3.14% | - | - |
| 2028* IMF | -3.33% | - | - |
| 2027* IMF | -3.62% | - | - |
| 2026* IMF | -3.48% | - | - |
| 2025* IMF | -3.41% | - | - |
| 2025 | -3.41% | −0.37% | #112 |
| 2024 | -3.04% | −0.00% | #88 |
| 2023 | -3.03% | −2.23% | #92 |
| 2022 | -0.80% | +2.00% | #132 |
| 2021 | -2.80% | +0.12% | #120 |
| 2020 | -2.92% | −1.96% | #150 |
| 2019 | -0.96% | −1.08% | #115 |
| 2018 | 0.12% | −0.70% | #134 |
| 2017 | 0.82% | −0.72% | #159 |
| 2016 | 1.54% | +4.32% | #173 |
| 2015 | -2.78% | +0.88% | #95 |
| 2014 | -3.65% | −1.90% | #67 |
| 2013 | -1.75% | −1.32% | #107 |
| 2012 | -0.43% | +1.40% | #135 |
| 2011 | -1.83% | +1.94% | #113 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Bulgaria matched the Fiscal Dominance Trap pattern in 2022. Historically, 72% of countries showing this pattern (278 out of 386) saw budget deficit improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Bulgaria's budget deficit was -3.41% in 2025. Ranked 112th globally. This represents a 12.3% decrease from the previous year.
Bulgaria's budget deficit peaked at 3.22% in 2006.
The lowest budget deficit in Bulgaria was -3.77% in 2010.
Bulgaria ranks 112th globally in budget deficit as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is GGXCNL_NGDP. Data sourced from IMF WEO.
Bulgaria's budget deficit is projected to reach -3.41% by 2025 based on IMF projection.
The budget deficit of Bulgaria in 2025 was -3.41%. This ranks 112th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_bulgaria_budget-deficit,
title = {Bulgaria Budget Deficit},
url = {https://historysaid.com/bulgaria/budget-deficit/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}