National Debt (% of GDP): Bulgaria

Analysis# Bulgaria National Debt (% of GDP) Bulgaria's national debt stands at 29.9% of GDP in 2026, representing a dramatic recovery from its peak of 78.7% in 1999. The country has reduced its debt burden by 55.6% since 1998, reflecting decades of fiscal consolidation. The all-time low of 14.1% in 2010 marked the strongest position, achieved through post-crisis austerity measures and consistent budget discipline during the preceding decade. Recent years reveal a concerning reversal. After declining steadily from 2017 to 2019, Bulgaria's debt ratio surged during the COVID-19 pandemic and has continued climbing through 2026. The jump from 22.9% in 2023 to 29.9% in 2026 signals renewed fiscal pressures. Current projections suggest Bulgaria's debt will continue rising, moving away from the favorable levels maintained throughout the 2010s and early 2020s.