Bulgaria’s gross domestic product will grow by 4.5% this year and by 4% in 2022, stronger than previously expected, indicates the June forecast of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, reported BGNES. In 2020, which was marked by the coronavirus pandemic, this country’s economy contracted by 4.2%. In the previous issue of the report in October last year, EBRD projected that Bulgaria’s GDP would grow by 3% in 2021.

In 2020, the Bulgarian economy contracted due to the weak performance of exports and investments, which decreased by 11.3% and 5.1%, respectively. Meanwhile, Bulgaria reports good levels of domestic consumption, unlike other countries in the region. This is mainly due to the milder containment measures and robust wage growth throughout the year.