The brochure has been compiled by courtesy of: National Statistical Institute, Bulgarian National Bank and InvestBulgaria Agency.
When using data from the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s publication, the source of information must be cited obligatory. The information provided in this brochure was correct
PREPRESS: Vezni Ltd. E-mail: Ltd. Vezni [email protected]: at the time it went to press, June 2021. Bulgaria in figures® – 12th edition
Dear business partners, For the twelfth consecutive year, the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) presents to your attention the brochure “Bulgaria in Figures”, which gathers the main macroeconomic indicators of the country and the assessment of a number of leading international organizations. 2020 caused numerous changes in the daily activities of companies and the way of communication between partners, but also created opportunities for quick introduction of new forms of employment and digitalization. In the same year, Bulgaria was accepted as a member of the ERM II exchange rate mechanism and the Banking Union, in preparation of its accession to the Euro area, and did not allow its taxes to increase. Along with maintaining relatively good macroeconomic indicators, it also received a good assessment of the prospects of the economy for this and next year. BCCI has actively participated in the elaboration of all measures with constructive proposals for their amendment and supplementation on the basis of a series of surveys on the effect, consequences and impact of the pandemic on the business environment in the country. We have consistently encouraged companies to monitor the state of the sector in which they operate, to focus on digitalization and to limit actions that will unbearably increase their indebtedness. We will continue to work for the prevention of inappropriate measures, including for the proper targeting of EU funds in the new programming period and the National Recovery and Sustainability Plan, so as not to worsen Bulgaria’s position. We hope that the efforts to eliminate the weaknesses of the economic environment identified by various rankings, will be successful. We will continue to provide information and consultations https://www.bcci.bg/cbir-bcci.html, to create contacts and cooperation https://www.bcci.bg/international-en.html at all stages of business, including by providing assistance for the settlement of the many emerging disputes due to the delay and/or non-fulfillment of contractual obligations https://www.bcci.bg/bcci-arbitration-court-en.html. With this publication we hope to once again give a clearer picture of the situation in Bulgaria so that the institutions and companies can take measures in the right direction. BCCI remains at your disposal for assistance, consultations and research on any particular cases. With the ambition to continue to create more security and resilience of local and foreign entrepreneurs in Bulgaria, I remain Yours sincerely, Tsvetan Simeonov BCCI President
1 Bulgaria in figures® – 12th edition REPUBLIC OF BULGARIA
North Central region North-West region North-East region Silistra Vidin Razgrad Dobrich Montana Pleven Ruse Vratsa Shumen Veliko Tarnovo Targovishte Varna Lovech Gabrovo Pernik Sliven Stara Zagora Burgas Plovdiv Kyustendil Yambol Pazardzhik Haskovo Blagoevgrad Smolyan South-East region Kardzhali South-West region South Central region
General data
State government: Parliamentary Republic
Head of state: President
Head of government: Prime Minister
Capital: Sofia
Area: 111 001.9 sq.km.
Administrative and territorial division: 28 districts and 265 municipalities, 6 regions
Population: 6 916 548 persons as of 31.12.2020
Official language: Bulgarian
Religion: Mostly Eastern Orthodox Christians
National currency: LEV (BGN – fixed to the Euro, 1 EUR = 1.95583 BGN, since 1997, since 2020 – member of ERM II)
2 Bulgaria in figures® – 12th edition
Facts about Bulgaria
EU, NATO and WTO Membership Strategic geographical location and openness to foreign markets: crossroad between Europe, Asia and Africa Stability in financial environment: Bulgaria’s debt is the third lowest in the EU 27 (25% of GDP) as of 2020 Business-friendly environment: Simple and low taxation Competitive operational costs and competitive labour level
Main indicators – actual data
2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 GDP (mill. EUR) 48 640 52 329 56 112 61 240 60 643 GDP real growth rate (%) 3,8 3,5 3,1 3,7 -4,2 Inflation (%) -0,8 2,1 2,8 3,1 1,7 Government deficit/ 0,1 1,2 2,0 2,1 -3,4 surplus (% of GDP) Exports (mill. EUR) 24 126 27 916 28 648 29 890 27 969* Imports (mill. EUR) 26 181 30 286 32 148 33 740 30 730* Employment rate (%) 63,4 66,9 67,7 70,1 68,5 Unemployment rate (%) 7,6 6,2 5,2 4,2 5,1 *Preliminary data Source: Eurostat, Bulgarian National Bank, National Statistical Institute
Macroeconomic forecast
2020 2021 2022 Real Gross Domestic Product (% change) -4,2 3,5 4,7 Total Investment (% change) -5,1 3,4 6,1 Employment growth (%) -2,3 0,6 1,3 Unemployment rate (%) 5,1 4,8 3,9 Consumer-price inflation (%) 1,2 1,6 2,0 General government balance (% of GDP) -3,4 -3,2 -1,9 General government gross debt (% of GDP) 25,0 24,5 24,0 Source: Spring 2021 Economic Forecast, European Commission
3 Bulgaria in figures® – 12th edition BULGARIA IN THE INTERNATIONAL RANKINGS Bulgaria has competitive positions in numerous international indices. According to the following rankings the country has the best performance in terms of business process outsourcing (BPO), low taxes and openness of budget procedure. For more information: https://www.bcci.bg/economic-analyses-en.html
Bulgaria in international rankings Business process outsourcing and shared service location index 2016 7 35 Tax Misery & Reform Index 2009 7 67 Open budget index 2019 16 117 Global peace index 2020 28 163 The Digital Economy and Society Index (DESI) 2020 28 28 EuroHealth Consumer index 2018 31 35 Index of Globalization 2020 31 203 Economic Freedom of the World 2020 32 162 Index of Economic Freedom 2021 35 178 Global Innovation Index 2020 37 131 The Global Gender Gap Rankings 2021 38 156 Environmental performance index 2020 41 180 E–Government Development Index 2018 44 193 Best Countries for Business 2018 46 161 World Competitiveness 2020 48 63 Prosperity Index 2020 48 167 Global competitiveness index 2019 49 141 Democracy Index 2020 52 167 Logistics performance Index 2018 52 160 Rule of law 2020 53 128 International Property Rights Index 2020 55 129 Human Development Index 2020 56 189 Country Attractiveness Index in the Venture Capital & Private Equity 2018 56 125 Doing Business 2020 61 190 Corruption perceptions index 2020 69 180 Gross Domestic Product per capita 2019 84 228 World press freedom index 2020 112 180
0 50 100 150 200 Bulgaria's rank Total number of ranked countries Source: Respective websites 4 Bulgaria in figures® – 12th edition FOCUS ON TAXATION Flat-tax system is introduced in Bulgaria - a single 10% rate applied on personal income and a 10% rate applied on corporate income (imposed respectively in 2008 and 2007). For more than 12 years Bulgaria has not changed the low rates of the direct taxes. Since 1999 the standard rate of value-added tax in Bulgaria has been set on 20%, with the exception of hotel services, where a reduced rate of 9% is applied. In the middle of 2020 Bulgaria decided to reduce the VAT until 2021 on 9% for some products and services (children’s goods, restaurant and catering services and books). In Bulgaria taxpayers are released from payment of corporate tax in regions with high unemployment rates. In 2019 about 2/3 of municipalities – 165 (of total 265 in Bulgaria) had 25% higher than the average rate of unemployment for the country and there is 0% corporate income tax.
Unemployment by municipalities – 0% corporate tax in regions shown in orange
Novo Selo Bregovo Vidin - Region center
Boinitza Vidin Sitovo Silistra Lom - Municipality Tutrakan Kula Slivo Koinardja Gramada Pole Glavinitza Alfatar Krushari Makresh Lom Ruse Kubrat Dimovo Valchedrum Dulovo Kozlodui Belogradchik Zavet Tervel General Brusartzi Yakimovo Oryahovo Guliantzi Vyatovo Isperih Toshevo Ruzhentzi Medkovez Mizia Ivanovo Dobrich region Belene Borovo Hairedin Nikopol Kaolinovo Shabla Chuprene Tzar Kaloyan Boichinovtzi Dolna Tzenovo Samuil Nikola Dobrich Montana Iskar Mitropolia Dve Byala Razgrad Venetz Kozlevo Borovan Kneja Svishtov Mogili Balchik Chiprovtzi Slatina Opaka Krivodol Byala Vulchi Dol Kavarna Pleven Levski Loznitza Hitrino Novi Dolnu Polski Pazar Georgi Berkovitza Cherven Pordim Vratza Dabnik Trambesh Popovo Suvorovo Damianovo Bryag Vetrino Aksakovo Varshetz Shumen Letnitza Pavlikeni Strajitza Gorna Targovishte Kaspichan Devnya Varna Roman Lukovit Oryahovitza Lovech Suhindol Antonovo Veliki Beloslav Provadia Godech Mezdra Veliko Preslav Yablanitza Lyaskovetz Avren Ugarchin Omurtag Svoge Sevlievo Tarnovo Zlataritza Botevgrad Smyadovo Dragoman Pravetz Dryanovo Dalgopol Varbitza Dolni Chiflik Kostinbrod Sofia region Slivnitza Troyan Gabrovo Elena Kotel Etropole Teteven Ruen Byala Trun Tryavna Bojurishte Apriltzi Sungurlare Gorna Breznik Sofia-city Anton Malina Chelopech Nesebar Gurkovo Tvarditza Pomorie Zemen MirkovoZlatitzaPirdop Sopot Aitos Pernik Elin Pelin Pavel Kazanluk Sliven Chavdar Koprivshtitza Maglij Trekliano Kovachevtzi Karlovo Banya Karnobat Nikolaevo Panagyurishte Straldja Radomir Ihtiman Hisarya Burgas Strelcha Nova Yambol Brezovo Stara Zagora Zagora Kameno Bobov Samokov Kostenetz Lesichevo Kaloyanovo Kyustendil Sapareva Bratya Dol Dolna Tundja Banya Saedinenie Daskalovi Sredetz Bania Dupnitza Septemvri Rakovski Sozopol Boboshevo Maritza Radnevo Primorsko Nevestino Belovo Pazardjik Chirpan Opan Kocherinovo Rila Plovdiv Elhovo Perushtitza Galabovo Yakoruda Peshtera Sadovo Krichim Topolovgrad Malko Tzarevo Rakitovo Dimitrovgrad Bolyarovo Blagoevgrad Bratzigovo Parvomai Simeonovgrad Tarnovo Velingrad Kuklen Rodopi Razlog Belitza Asenovgrad Simitly Mineralni Harmanli bani Haskovo Batak Sarnitsa Chepelare Svilengrad Bansko Laki Lyubimetz Kresna Devin Garmen Chernoochene Stambolovo Goze Banite Strumyane Satovcha Borino Madjarovo Delchev Dospat Ardino Kurdjali Sandanski Smolyan Madan Hadjidimovo Momchilgrad Djebel Ivailovgrad Petrich Rudozem Nedelino Zlatograd Krumovgrad Kirkovo
Municipalities with an unemployment rate lower than the country’s average or an unemployment rate equal to or higher than the country’s average (Art. 3, (8) RAIPA) Municipalities with an unemployment rate 25% higher than the country’s average (Art. 183, (1) CITA; Art. 3, (8) RAIPA)
Source: Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Bulgaria
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Bulgaria is the third least tax burdened country in the EU as of 2020: The overall tax-to-GDP ratio in Bulgaria is 30.3% for 2019, compared to an EU average of 41.1%.
Top statutory income tax rates and standard VAT rates (2020), %
Bulgaria 10,010,0 20,0 Romania 10,0 16,0 19,0 Hungary 15,0 10,8 27,0 Czech Republic 15,0 19,0 21,0 Estonia 20,0 20,0 20,0 Slovakia 25,0 21,0 20,0 Cyprus 35,0 12,5 19,0 Lithuania 32,0 15,0 21,0 Latvia 31,4 20,0 21,0 Poland 32,0 19,0 23,0 Ireland 40,0 12,5 23,0 United Kingdom 45,0 19,0 20,0 Croatia 42,5 18,0 25,0 Malta 35,0 35,0 18,0 Spain 43,5 25,0 21,0 Slovenia 50,0 19,0 22,0 Luxembourg 45,8 29,4 17,0 Austria 50,0 25,0 20,0 Finland 51,1 20,0 24,0 Netherlands 49,5 25,0 21,0 Germany 47,5 29,9 19,0 Italy 47,2 27,8 22,0 Sweden 52,3 21,4 25,0 Belgium 53,1 25,0 21,0 Greece 54,0 24,0 24,0 Denmark 55,9 22,0 25,0 France 51,5 32,0 20,0 Portugal 53,0 31,5 23,0 0,0 40,0 80,0 120,0
Tax on personal income Tax on corporate income VAT (standard rates)
Source: Eurostat
6 Bulgaria in figures® – 12th edition GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT In the recent years the Bulgarian economy has been growing steadily, with higher rates than the EU average. Over 2015 economic activity in Bulgaria accelerated signi ficantly. In 2019 real growth of GDP in Bulgaria reached 3.7%. Growing domestic demand was the main driver for GDP and it is expected to remain in the next years. Unfortunately in 2020 Covid-19 created major changes in expectations for GDP levels. Bulgaria recorded a decline of -4.2% of GDP, while the average decline for the EU27 was 6.1% of GDP.
Real GDP growth rate % change compared to the previous year 6 4 2 0 -2 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 -4 -6 -8 European Union 27 Bulgaria Source: Eurostat Over the past five years the GDP per employed has grown. The main factor of growth has been the increasе of Gross Value Added in the economy, which continues to grow, albeit at a slow pace, through the COVID-19 pandemic.
GDP per employed 20000,0 17 171 17 569 18000,0 15 926 14 838 16000,0 14 038 14000,0 13 254 12000,0 10000,0 8000,0 6000,0 4000,0 2000,0 0,0 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020* * Preliminary data Source: National Statistical Institute,
Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry
7 Bulgaria in figures® – 12th edition
Gross Domestic Product and Gross Value Added by economic sectors and economic activity groupings at current year prices Million EUR Economic sectors 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 and economic activity groupings
Agriculture, forestry 1 838 1 957 2 111 1 891 1 982 2 070 and fishing
Mining, quarrying 9 091 10 130 10 829 10 506 10 877 11 375 and manufacturing
Construction 1 727 1 642 1 862 2 032 2 362 2 555 Wholesale and retail 8 871 9 326 10 085 11 255 12 457 9 977 trade Information 2 092 2 585 2 758 3 302 3 997 4 211 and communication
Financial and 2 728 2 974 2 960 3 237 3 080 3 243 insurance activities
Real estate activities 3 859 3 988 4 514 5 144 5 489 5 374 Professional, 2 492 2 633 2 738 3 152 3733 3 587 scientific and technical activities; administrative and support service activities Public administration 5 737 5 629 6 270 7 015 7 624 8 992 and defence; compulsory social security; education; human health and social work activities Arts, entertainment 998 1 003 1 054 1 098 1 259 1 100 and recreation, repair of household goods and other services
Gross Value Added 39 433 41 868 45 182 48 633 52 289 52 483 Adjustments (taxes 6 242 6 752 7 127 7 453 8 385 8 158 less subsidies on products ) Gross Domestic 45 675 48 620 52 309 56 086 60 674 60 642 Product
Source: National Statistical Institute, Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry
8 Bulgaria in figures® – 12th edition
In 2020 Real Estate Activities and Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing were the most important engines for the growth in the gross value added compared to 2019. The sectors that reported the largest contribution to GDP in 2020 (share of 41%) were Mining, Quarrying and Manufacturing and Wholesale and Retail Trade. The relative share of Industry in the GVA of the national economy is 26.5%. The Services sector creates 69.5% of the total GVA and Agriculture – 4%.
Structure of Gross Value Added by economic sectors and economic activity groupings in 2020
Мillion EUR 2.1% 17.1% Arts, entertainment and recreation, Public administration repair of household goods and defence; and other services compulsory social security; education; human health 3.9% and social Agriculture, forestry work activities and shing 6.8% 21.7% Professional, scienti c Mining, quarrying and technical activities; and manufacturing administrative and support service activities
4.9% 10.2% Construction Real estate activities 6.2% Financial and insurance 19.0% activities 8.0% Wholesale and retail trade Information and communication
Source: National Statistical Institute, Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry
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