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Photo: Stella Ivanova
Consumer confidence in Bulgaria continued to weaken at the start of 2026, driven entirely by declining sentiment among city residents, according to the latest survey by the National Statistical Institute.
In January 2026, the overall consumer confidence indicator fell by 0.8 points to minus 25.9 percent, down from minus 25.1 percent recorded in October 2025. This marks the third consecutive quarterly decline and the lowest level of consumer sentiment since the second quarter of 2022. Confidence has also remained below its long-term average for a second straight quarter, a trend that has persisted since mid-2023.
Consumers’ assessment of how the national economy has developed over the past year remained unchanged in January. Expectations for the coming twelve months, however, showed a slight improvement, with the balance indicator rising by 2.2 points, suggesting cautious optimism about the near-term outlook.
Views on household finances over the past year diverged between urban and rural areas. Pessimism eased somewhat among people living in villages, while sentiment among city dwellers became more negative compared with three months earlier. At the same time, expectations for household financial conditions over the next year deteriorated for both urban and rural populations.
Respondents continue to report that consumer prices have risen over the past twelve months, though they believe the pace of increase has slowed. Inflation expectations for the year ahead are also less intense than before, indicating a partial easing of price-related concerns.
Expectations regarding unemployment over the next twelve months have shifted toward more moderate views, reflected in a 1.2-point decline in the relevant balance indicator.
Despite this, consumers expressed greater caution in January about making major purchases. Assessments of the current conditions for buying durable goods worsened, and intentions to spend on such items over the coming year became more restrained. Negative attitudes were also recorded toward planned spending on home renovations and car purchases during the next twelve months, the NSI survey shows.
Discussion around the admission of third-country workers to the Bulgarian labor market has intensified, often with emotions running high.
Bulgarians are reminded that annual tax returns must be filed by the end of April, with any additional tax due to be paid in euros
On Tuesday, much of Bulgaria will remain under considerable cloud cover.
The Bulgarian Food Safety Agency has detected bacterial contamination and mold in several sandwiches distributed in schools during a series of inspections
Producers of basic food products in Bulgaria are warning that the continuing rise in fuel prices could soon be reflected in the cost of goods on the market.
As of March 16, 2026, Bulgaria’s major and complex dams hold a total of about 4,892.4 million cubic meters of water, which corresponds to roughly 74.85% of their overall storage capacity
On Tuesday, much of Bulgaria will remain under considerable cloud cover.
The Bulgarian Food Safety Agency has detected bacterial contamination and mold in several sandwiches distributed in schools during a series of inspections
Producers of basic food products in Bulgaria are warning that the continuing rise in fuel prices could soon be reflected in the cost of goods on the market.
As of March 16, 2026, Bulgaria’s major and complex dams hold a total of about 4,892.4 million cubic meters of water, which corresponds to roughly 74.85% of their overall storage capacity
The ongoing conflict in the Middle East has so far had no substantial effect on the prices of goods and services in Bulgaria
In February 2026, Bulgaria saw its monthly inflation reach 0.4%, while the annual rate slowed slightly to 3.3% compared to February 2025, according to the National Statistical Institute (NSI).
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