Bulgaria's public external debt at the end of 2023 was €10.888 billion, an increase of 22.7 per cent, or more than €2 billion, compared with the end of 2022. This is 11.6 per cent of GDP, the Bulgarian National Bank said. In December 2023, Bulgaria's gross external debt (private and public) will be more than 45 billion euro, or 47.9 per cent of GDP. This is an increase of 820 million euro, or 1.9 per cent, compared to the previous year. 

In February 2024, the economic situation in the country remains close to the level of the previous month. According to the latest survey by the National Statistical Institute, the business climate improved in industry, remained unchanged in construction and retail trade and declined slightly in services. The overall business climate indicator stood at 22.6% in February, compared with 22.8% at the beginning of the year.