At the end of 2024, Bulgaria's macroeconomic indicators fully met the Maastricht criteria for Eurozone membership, BGNES informs.

According to Eurostat data, inflation from June to November was below 3%, which is a requirement for adopting the single currency. The other important indicator for entering the Eurozone is the budget deficit, which will also be within 3%. In addition, Bulgaria has the lowest unemployment in recent years of about 4% and the debt to Gross Domestic Product ratio is nearly two times lower than the set criterion of 60%.

The European Commission's forecasts for Bulgaria’s economic development are positive - this year inflation is to decrease to 2.3% and the fiscal deficit is to reach 2.8%. Based on these data, economists believe that Bulgaria can become a member of the Eurozone in the middle of this year or in early 2026.

• Bulgaria will fulfil the last criterion for entering the eurozone in mid-January