Bulgaria’s industrial business climate index climbed to 18.4 in May 2026, picking up from a more than five-year low of 12.4 in the previous month. The reading was the highest since June 2025, as firms assessed the current business situation more favorably (23.2 vs 14.2 in April), despite present production activity turning negative (-2.2 vs 3.3). At the same time, expectations for production activity over the next three months improved (11.4 vs 9.4), while the employment outlook for the same period returned to positive territory (2.5 vs -0.1). Meanwhile, selling price expectations for the next three months eased (14.7 vs 18.9). Key limiting factors included economic uncertainty (48.4), labor shortages (32.7), weak domestic (23.7) and foreign (22.0) demand, as well as weaknesses in economic legislation (14.2). source: National Statistical Institute, Bulgaria

Business Confidence in Bulgaria increased to 18.40 points in May from 12.40 points in April of 2026. Business Confidence in Bulgaria averaged 20.92 points from 1997 until 2026, reaching an all time high of 50.30 points in July of 2007 and a record low of -20.90 points in February of 1997. This page provides the latest reported value for - Bulgaria Business Confidence - plus previous releases, historical high and low, short-term forecast and long-term prediction, economic calendar, survey consensus and news. Bulgaria Business Confidence - data, historical chart, forecasts and calendar of releases - was last updated on June of 2026.

Business Confidence in Bulgaria increased to 18.40 points in May from 12.40 points in April of 2026. Business Confidence in Bulgaria is expected to be 12.00 points by the end of this quarter, according to Trading Economics global macro models and analysts expectations. In the long-term, the Bulgaria Business Confidence is projected to trend around 17.00 points in 2027 and 19.00 points in 2028, according to our econometric models.



Calendar GMT Reference Actual Previous Consensus TEForecast
2026-04-30 08:00 AM
Business Confidence
Apr 12.4 15 14.5
2026-05-29 08:00 AM
Business Confidence
May 18.4 12.4 11.7
2026-06-30 08:00 AM
Business Confidence
Jun 18.4 12


Related Last Previous Unit Reference
Business Confidence 18.40 12.40 points May 2026
Changes in Inventories 357.62 1564.21 BGN Million Dec 2025
Industrial Production YoY 4.80 -8.70 percent Mar 2026
Industrial Production MoM 5.80 1.60 percent Mar 2026
Manufacturing Production 4.00 0.00 percent Mar 2026


Bulgaria Business Confidence
In Bulgaria, the business climate in industry measures the level of optimism that companies have about the performance of the economy and how they feel about their organizations’ prospects over the future. Business confidence surveys can provide useful signs about the current condition of the economy, because companies often have information about consumer demand sooner than government statisticians do.
Actual Previous Highest Lowest Dates Unit Frequency
18.40 12.40 50.30 -20.90 1997 - 2026 points Monthly

News Stream
Bulgaria Business Mood Hits 11-Month High
Bulgaria’s industrial business climate index climbed to 18.4 in May 2026, picking up from a more than five-year low of 12.4 in the previous month. The reading was the highest since June 2025, as firms assessed the current business situation more favorably (23.2 vs 14.2 in April), despite present production activity turning negative (-2.2 vs 3.3). At the same time, expectations for production activity over the next three months improved (11.4 vs 9.4), while the employment outlook for the same period returned to positive territory (2.5 vs -0.1). Meanwhile, selling price expectations for the next three months eased (14.7 vs 18.9). Key limiting factors included economic uncertainty (48.4), labor shortages (32.7), weak domestic (23.7) and foreign (22.0) demand, as well as weaknesses in economic legislation (14.2).
2026-05-29
Bulgaria Business Confidence Weakens to 2020 Low
Bulgaria’s industry business climate index declined to 12.4 in April 2026, the lowest reading since December 2020, down from 15.0 in March. Key limiting factors were elevated economic uncertainty (49.6%), labour shortages (33.3%), insufficient domestic demand (24.3%) and foreign demand (24.9%), along with regulatory weaknesses (18.7%). Firms assessed the current business situation as weaker (14.2 vs 16.2 in March), although present production activity improved (3.3 vs -0.3). Total order levels deteriorated further (-16.6 vs -15.7), while finished goods inventories also worsened (-3.9 vs -2.1). Expectations for selling prices increased (18.9 vs 10.9), pointing to stronger cost pass-through pressures. Employment outlook turned slightly negative (-0.1 vs 3.1), while uncertainty surrounding future conditions rose (-14.1 vs -8.8). Production expectations for the next three months moderated (9.4 vs 13.5), and the six-month business outlook also weakened (10.7 vs 13.9).
2026-04-30
Bulgaria Business Confidence Falls in March
Bulgaria’s business climate in industry eased to 15.0 in March 2026 from 16.3 in February. Constraining factors included economic uncertainty (47.3%), labour shortages (34.2%), weak domestic (24.9%) and foreign demand (24.9%), and weaknesses in economic legislation (17.9%). Firms reported a weaker current business situation (16.2 vs 19.0), while present production activity was largely unchanged (-0.3 vs -9.2). Total orders continued to decline (-15.7 vs -22.1), as well as stocks of finished goods (-2.1 vs -1.9), while selling price expectations rose (10.9 vs 8.8), signaling that firms anticipate higher costs or intend to pass them on to customers. Employment expectations softened (3.1 vs 4.6), and uncertainty about the business environment remained elevated (-8.8 vs -9.2). Production expectations over the next three months improved (13.5 vs 12.3), while six-month business expectations rose slightly (13.9 vs 13.6).
2026-03-30