In October, annual harmonized inflation in the European Union increased to 2.3%, with the Eurozone reporting a rate of 2%, according to Eurostat data. Inflation rates in both the EU and the Eurozone have risen compared to the previous month, with the September figures at 2.1% and 1.7%, respectively. However, these rates remain significantly below…
Corporate and personal income taxes will not increase next year, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Lyudmila Petkova has announced. She also confirmed that the 2025 budget deficit would be kept within 3% of GDP, with a package of measures targeting both revenues and expenditures to achieve this goal. The budget for next year does…
In the second quarter of the year, the housing price index in Bulgaria increased by 15.1% YoY, slightly lower than the 16% rise in the first quarter. Both new homes and existing properties saw price increases, with new homes rising by 15.6% and existing ones by 14.8%. This trend was also evident in the six…
In the third quarter of 2024, Bulgaria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) increased by 2.2% YoY and by 0.5% QoQ, according to the preliminary estimate by the National Statistical Institute (NSI). Final consumption increased by 4.6% YoY, indicating a robust domestic market. Exports grew by a modest 0.1%, while imports rose by 2.9%, reflecting increased demand…
Banks in Bulgaria have reported a tightening of credit conditions for both businesses and households, primarily driven by increased interest rates. This tightening has been particularly evident in consumer loans, according to the Bulgarian National Bank’s (BNB) Economic Review for the third quarter of 2024. Despite the stricter conditions, banks have slightly relaxed the maximum…
Bulgaria is set to request protective measures from the European Commission regarding the import of Ukrainian honey. The request will be made during a meeting of EU agriculture and fisheries ministers in Brussels. The country’s position highlights that the sharp rise in Ukrainian honey imports is creating difficulties for local producers, as the large quantities…
At the end of the third quarter, Bulgaria’s treasury faced a deficit exceeding 2.8 billion leva, according to data on the implementation of the fiscal program, as approved by the Cabinet of Ministers. The Ministry of Finance predicts that this shortfall will rise to 4 billion leva in October, with an expected deficit for the…