Urgent reform of Bulgaria's planning districts is needed, local authorities insist.The current regionalization shows increasing economic imbalances in terms of EU grant assistance. The problem is particularly severe in the Southwestern region, which includes Sofia city. According to the EU cohesion rules, when a region's GDP per capita reaches 100% of the EU average, the regions receive 30% co-financing for EU programs.
In the Southwestern region, due to Sofia's indicators, the coverage is 100%. Transitional regions, with a GDP between 75% and 100% of the EU average, receive 60% grant aid, while underdeveloped regions receive 85%. In Sofia city, the GDP per capita is close to 130% of the EU average, which affects the neighboring districts – Sofia District, Pernik, Kyustendil and Blagoevgrad, where the coverage is between 54% and 31%. The bundling of these districts with the capital city limits their access to EU funds.
The Bulgarian National Bank (BNB) has revised upwards its expectations for Bulgarian economic growth in 2025 but lowered its GDP growth forecast for 2026, it transpired from the Bank's regular quarterly Macroeconomic Forecast. In its March..
Bulgaria’s debt for 2024 amounts to BGN 48.846 billion (EUR 24 billion), or 24.1% of the country’s GDP, preliminary data from the National Statistical Institute (NSI) show. In 2023, the country's debt was BGN 42.383 billion (EUR 20.8 billion), or..
A working individual living in a one-person household needs a net monthly income of 1,521 BNG (EUR 747) to cover basic needs. A three-member household needs 2,738 BGN (EUR 1,344). The income needed to cover minimum living costs increases by..
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