Bulgaria Non-Performing Loans
Bank nonperforming loans as % of total gross loans FB.AST.NPER.ZS
Bulgaria's non-performing loans was 2.39% in 2025, ranked 70th globally. This represents a 33.9% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 2008–2025.
Overview
Bulgaria's non-performing loans stood at 2.39% in 2025, a decline of +1.23pp from 2023. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 2.39% by 2025. Bulgaria ranked 70th globally.
Bulgaria’s non‑performing loan (NPL) ratio has fallen dramatically from its all‑time peak of 16.88 % in 2013 to a trough of 2.39 % in 2025, placing the country at rank 70 globally. The 2025 figure of 2.39 % is only marginally lower than the earliest recorded level of 2.40 % in 2008, suggesting a return to pre‑crisis conditions after a decade of severe stress. This decline mirrors the broader post‑Eurozone‑crisis recovery in Eastern Europe, where tighter banking supervision and improved loan‑loss provisioning helped restore asset quality. Bulgaria’s current NPL rate is comparable to Luxembourg’s 2.42 % and Albania’s 2.20 %, indicating convergence with both higher‑income and regional peers. The sustained low level reflects a healthier credit environment, yet any resurgence of macro‑economic shocks or a slowdown in reforms could halt the downward trajectory, making future monitoring of fiscal stability and bank capital adequacy essential.
Data & projection
| Year | Non-Performing Loans | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026* trend | 1.66% | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 2.39% | - | - |
| 2025 | 2.39% | −1.23pp | #70 |
| 2023 | 3.62% | −0.91pp | #58 |
| 2022 | 4.53% | −1.41pp | #79 |
| 2021 | 5.94% | +0.14pp | #93 |
| 2020 | 5.80% | −0.82pp | #85 |
| 2019 | 6.62% | −1.18pp | #98 |
| 2018 | 7.80% | −2.63pp | #102 |
| 2017 | 10.43% | −2.74pp | #107 |
| 2016 | 13.17% | −1.44pp | #121 |
| 2015 | 14.61% | −2.13pp | #117 |
| 2014 | 16.75% | −0.13pp | #110 |
| 2013 | 16.88% | +0.25pp | #113 |
| 2012 | 16.63% | +1.65pp | #113 |
| 2011 | 14.97% | +3.06pp | #110 |
| 2010 | 11.92% | +5.49pp | #94 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Bulgaria matched the Fiscal Dominance Trap pattern in 2022. Historically, 72% of countries showing this pattern (278 out of 386) saw non-performing loans improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Bulgaria's non-performing loans was 2.39% in 2025. Ranked 70th globally. This represents a 33.9% decrease from the previous year.
Bulgaria's non-performing loans peaked at 16.88% in 2013.
The lowest non-performing loans in Bulgaria was 2.39% in 2025.
Bulgaria ranks 70th globally in non-performing loans as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is FB.AST.NPER.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Bulgaria's non-performing loans is projected to reach 2.39% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The non-performing loans of Bulgaria in 2025 was 2.39%. This ranks 70th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_bulgaria_non-performing-loans,
title = {Bulgaria Non-Performing Loans},
url = {https://historysaid.com/bulgaria/non-performing-loans/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}