With the adoption of the euro in 2026, Bulgaria faces a unique opportunity to make a qualitative leap in its global competitiveness. Building on a solid foundation of macroeconomic stability, fiscal discipline, and a dynamic technology sector, the country has the potential to fully capitalize on its membership in Europe’s economic elite. However, this progress is threatened by structural problems which, if left unresolved, could undermine its future growth.
This analysis examines the advantages, opportunities, and challenges facing the Bulgarian economy through the lens of the four pillars of global competitiveness and proposes a roadmap of priority reforms to unlock the country’s full potential.
This policy brief draws on the latest data from the IMD World Competitiveness Yearbook 2025. ARC Fund is IMD’s official partner for Bulgaria.
