Balgarianovinite.com Bulgaria is one of the fastest-growing economies in the EU, it grew by 3% in 2025 and is expected to continue growing in 2026 said Joan Hoey, editor of the annual Democracy Index and head of the Europe analysis team at The Economist Intelligence Unit. She stated this at a conference during the World Ahead 2026 Sofia Gala Dinner on Thursday, organized by The Economist magazine at the Grand Hotel Millennium Sofia.
Official guests at the forum include Bulgarian President Iliana Iotova; Bulgarian National Bank Governor Dimitar Radev; Bank of Greece Governor Yannis Stournaras,; ECB Chief Economist Philip Lane; International Monetary Fund (IMF) Regional Representative for Central, Eastern and Southeastern Europe Carlos Mulas Granados, and leading business figures.
The Economist’s analytical unit identified private consumption as the main driver of growth in Bulgaria, combined with external demand and a forecast of substantial interest from foreign investors in Bulgaria and Southeast Europe, linked to the ongoing nearshoring process of shortening supply chains.
According to their analysis, inflation in Bulgaria is expected to remain at current levels, which are in line with regional inflation rates and tend to ease. However, compared to pre-pandemic and pre-crisis levels, inflation will remain above 2019 levels and the EU average of over 2%.
Regarding Bulgaria’s fiscal situation, Hoey said that the country is characterized by a very sound fiscal framework with its debt-to-gross domestic product (GDP) ratio is among the lowest in the EU.
She pointed out that a new growth model is needed for the country and the region as a whole. Hoey believes that an end to the war in Ukraine could have a strong positive effect on the region, particularly Bulgaria, as it would lead to investment in Ukraine’s recovery and stimulate the economies of neighbouring countries.
The Economist Intelligence Unit’s forecast for the EU suggests that growth in 2026 will remain volatile. US tariffs and policy uncertainties will be offset by lower inflation and interest rates. The focus is on Germany’s U-turn in fiscal policy, which will lead to a change in trends from fiscal years 2026 and 2027 onwards. Growing investment in defence amid ongoing peace negotiations in Ukraine is identified as a driving force for European security needs. Bulgaria Among Fastest-Growing Economies in EU, Head of Economist Intelligence Unit Says 2026 THE NEWS FROM BULGARIA – NEWS AGENCY 2009-2025 2026-02-12 18:55:09 Latest news World news Country news Most important news latest news most important latest of the day Justice Petar Nizamov Feathers Petar Nizamov- Feathers Justice bg iustitia.bg iustitia iusticia usticia investigation Burgas Bulgaria news news of the last hour news of the day news of today Bulgaria news The news from Bulgaria blitz news top news most important most commented latest news Boyko Borisov news weather coronavirus news news weather facebook youtube facebook instagram news today news of the last minutes news today today news news bg news leading news hot news bg news site for news all news news bg news of the last hour latest latest news bg news of today news today news today news of the last hour latest news today news bg news news 24 hours news vesti bg novini news world bird bg bivol bg bivol trud bg novini latest news today novinite bg news hello bulgaria political party coat of arms delyan peevski scandalous Bulgarian National Television Free Europe Television scandal exclusive live tv live right now tv tv online tv program bg live now tv news online tv online live court Burgas court Burgas district court Burgas court Burgas district court Burgas district court Burgas appellate court Burgas prosecutor Burgas prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Prosecutor General Ivan Geshev Prosecutor Geshev Tsatsarov Ministry of Internal Affairs Burgas ODMR Burgas ODPR Burgas police Burgas district police Burgas prosecutor Tsatsarov SGS cases Varna court chairman of the SGS court decisions on civil cases decisions on cases Plovdiv court decision of the court decisions cases Varna court criminal cases district district court decisions work in the court SGS chairman of the SGS judges Sofia court post judges Plovdiv court Plovdiv judges Plovdiv Supreme Court Inspectorate Supreme Court Supreme Judicial Council lawyer lawyer criminal cases lawyer civil cases lawyer marriage cases lawyer administrative criminal law criminal process civil law civil process administrative law constitutional law