Video - OECD Economic Surveys: Bulgaria 2026

Bulgaria’s income has continued to converge to the OECD advanced economies, but the productivity gap remains large. Growth has been supported by robust consumption, private and public, underpinned by steady wage increases. Fiscal discipline has resulted in low public debt but pressures on the fiscal balance are mounting and front-loaded consolidation is warranted. In the longer term, Bulgaria needs to address fiscal pressures from defense spending, the green transition and ageing. Bulgaria joined the euro area in 2026, implying that the onus to decrease short-term inflationary pressures is on fiscal policy. Investment has long been lagging behind peer countries.