Rising labour costs, energy prices, the insufficient availability of raw materials, as well as a shortage of skilled workers, will be among the main challenges facing businesses in Bulgaria in 2027, according to data from the Eurochambres Economic Survey 2027. This is the 34th consecutive annual edition of the survey, coordinated by the Association of European Chambers of Commerce and Industry (Eurochambres) with the support of the network of chambers of commerce and industry, the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) reported on Wednesday.
European businesses remain resilient, but lack confidence, according to the survey data. Bulgarian businesses expect domestic sales to remain stable, have moderate expectations for export growth, and face lower employment prospects in 2027.
For 62% of the Bulgarian companies surveyed, the leading cause for concern stems from the constant pressure to raise wages and the associated social security burden. An issue for 61% of respondents is the cost of energy and access to raw materials. Nearly half of the companies or 49% cite a shortage of skilled workers as an obstacle to their normal operations and growth.
With regard to domestic sales, a moderately optimistic outlook for growth in the domestic market prevails (44%), but an almost equally large share of businesses (40.5%) expects sales to remain at current levels. Some 42% of companies forecast a moderate increase in exports, while 37.5% expect levels to remain largely unchanged from the previous period. Some 41% of respondents express a willingness to increase investment in their businesses, while another 45% expect levels to remain the same as in 2026. Over 61% of companies plan to maintain their current number of employees.
The overall assessment of the business climate remains positive, but confidence is at levels similar to those of 2026, with over 50% of respondents reporting a more negative outlook compared to 2025.
The 34th Eurochambres Economic Survey is based on responses from 40,717 entrepreneurs across 27 European countries conducted in September 2026. A total of 847 entrepreneurs representing the Bulgarian business community expressed their expectations, exceeding the minimum requirement of 400 respondents. The timing of the event helps mitigate some of the negative assessments of expectations and the business environment that representatives of the Bulgarian economy might otherwise consider at this time, given that the draft 2027 state budget and the planned revenue and expenditure policies were announced in early November, after the survey was conducted.

Businesses Worried by High Labour Costs, Energy Prices, Shortage of Skilled Workers in 2027 THE NEWS FROM BULGARIA – NEWS AGENCY 2009-2025 2026-11-11 04:05:52

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BULGARIA NEWS – NEWS AGENCY 2009–2026 2026-11-11 04:05:52