Bulgaria’s economy expanded by 3.1% year-on-year in the first quarter of 2026, placing the country fifth in the European Union in terms of economic growth, according to data from the National Statistical Institute (NSI). Around 3.5 million people were employed during the period, NSI deputy chairman Dr. Svilen Kolev said in an interview with NOVA NEWS.
Kolev noted that the revised figures indicate stronger growth than initially estimated, following the arrival of updated sectoral data. He described the 3.1% expansion as broadly consistent with previous quarters, suggesting a relatively stable economic trajectory.
He pointed out that industry was the only sector registering a decline in value added, largely due to weaker export performance. Despite this, overall growth was supported by resilient domestic consumption and rising investment activity.
The gross value added generated by the economy in the first quarter reached EUR 23.83 billion at current prices. According to Kolev, household consumption remains the main driver of expansion, underpinned by increasing incomes. He also stressed that Bulgaria continues to record some of the strongest growth in private consumption across the EU, particularly in the post-pandemic period.
