Bulgarian economy grew 2.7% year-on-year in Q2, among the fastest in the EU

Bulgaria's GDP grew 0.6% quarter-on-quarter and 2.7% year-on-year in April-June 2026, per the NSI flash estimate published August 14. Household consumption ran 7.6% above last year and fixed investment rose 8%, while exports fell 2.8% and the quarterly trade deficit reached €1.15 billion. The 2.7% annual growth ties with Spain for fifth-highest in the EU.

Why it matters if you live in Bulgaria

Strong consumption-driven growth in the first euro year supports jobs and wages if you work or run a business here — and helps explain why services prices and rents keep climbing even as headline inflation cools.