2026.04.3008:30:06UTC+00Bulgaria Business Confidence Weakens to 2020 Low

Bulgaria’s industry business climate index fell to 12.4 in April 2026, its lowest level since December 2020, down from 15.0 in March. The main limiting factors cited by firms were heightened economic uncertainty (49.6%), labour shortages (33.3%), insufficient domestic demand (24.3%) and weak foreign demand (24.9%), as well as regulatory shortcomings (18.7%).

Companies rated their current business situation more negatively (14.2, down from 16.2 in March), even though current production activity improved slightly (3.3 vs. -0.3). Overall order books deteriorated further (-16.6 vs. -15.7), and inventories of finished products also worsened (-3.9 vs. -2.1).

Selling price expectations strengthened (18.9 vs. 10.9), indicating growing pressure to pass higher costs on to customers. The employment outlook turned marginally negative (-0.1 vs. 3.1), and uncertainty about future conditions increased (-14.1 vs. -8.8). Expectations for production over the next three months softened (9.4 vs. 13.5), and the six-month business outlook also deteriorated (10.7 vs. 13.9).