Bulgaria Q3 GDP Growth Hits 1-Year Low

The Bulgarian economy grew by 2.9% year-on-year in the fourth quarter of 2025, slowing from a downwardly revised 3.1% in the previous period, according to preliminary estimates. This marked the weakest pace of growth since the third quarter of 2024, as net external demand continued to weigh on overall economic performance. Exports of goods and services remained in contraction, though at a much softer pace (-0.1% vs -5.4% in Q3), while imports accelerated sharply (9.5% vs 4.2%). At the same time, growth in final consumption eased to 7.2% from 7.9% in the previous quarter. Meanwhile, gross fixed capital formation picked up further, rising to 10.1% from 9.3%. On a quarterly basis, the economy expanded by 0.8% in Q4, edging up from 0.7% in the third quarter.

The Bulgarian economy grew by 3.2% year-on-year in the third quarter of 2025, matching preliminary estimates but slowing from the 3.4% expansion recorded in the previous three-month period. This marked the slowest pace of growth since the fourth quarter of 2024, reflecting a moderation in final consumption (7.9% vs 8.5% in Q2) amid a sharp slowdown in government spending (2% vs 10.1%), even as household consumption accelerated (9% vs 8.3%). Net external demand also weighed on GDP, as exports of goods and services declined at a faster pace (-5.6% vs -5.4%), while imports of goods and services rose significantly (4.1% vs 0.4%). Meanwhile, gross fixed capital formation edged higher (8.7% vs 8.6%). On a quarterly basis, the economy expanded 0.7% in Q3 2025, confirming preliminary estimates but slightly easing from the 0.9% increase registered in the previous quarter.

The Bulgarian economy grew by 3.2% year-on-year in the third quarter of 2025, easing from a 3.4% expansion in the previous three-month period, according to preliminary estimates. This marked the slowest economic growth since the third quarter of 2024, as net external demand weighed on the country's GDP. Exports continued to decline (-9.2% vs -5.6% in Q2), while imports increased sharply (2.2% vs 0.4%). On the other hand, final consumption accelerated (9.5% vs 8.9%), as did gross fixed capital formation (9.2% vs 8.9%). On a quarterly basis, Bulgaria's economy rose 0.7% in the third quarter of 2025, slightly easing from a 0.9% gain in the previous three-month period.