EBRD Doubles Investments in Bulgaria, Boosting Key Sectors in 2024
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has significantly increased its investments in Bulgaria for 2024
Property prices in Bulgaria continue to experience significant growth, with data from the National Statistical Institute revealing a 15.1% increase over the past 12 months leading up to June 2024. In the second quarter of the year alone, prices rose by 3.4%.
This impressive rise positions Bulgaria among nine EU countries that have seen property prices increase by over 100% in the last 14 years, according to Eurostat.
In Knight Frank's Global House Price Index, Bulgaria ranks third for the past 12 months, surpassed only by Turkey and Poland, where property prices increased by 46.4% and 18%, respectively. Bulgaria's growth of 15.1% makes it one of six countries out of 56 analyzed that reported an increase of over 10%. Following Bulgaria are Taiwan (+11.9%), North Macedonia (+11.5%), and Colombia (+10.9%).
Additionally, three other European countries— the Netherlands, Greece, and Croatia—along with Mexico, are among the top 10, each seeing price growth exceeding 9%.
However, the global property market is not uniform, as 13 of the analyzed countries have reported declines in property prices. Hong Kong and Luxembourg experienced the most significant drops, at 12.7% and 10.9%, respectively. Other notable decreases occurred in Jersey, Finland, China, and several major European economies, including France, Germany, and Austria.
In a quarterly comparison, Lithuania's property prices fell by 5.3%. Conversely, price increases persisted in North Macedonia (+8.2%), Turkey (+6.5%), and Hungary (+5.2%), with Norway, Australia, and Poland also experiencing rises exceeding 4%.
By the end of 2024, Bulgaria is expected to rank second globally in property price appreciation, trailing only Turkey. Bulgaria's projected growth stands at 10.8%, while Turkey is anticipated to lead with 14.4%. Poland and Norway are expected to see growth rates of 9.3% and 8.3%, respectively. The most significant declines in property prices compared to the end of 2023 are anticipated in Finland, China, and Ukraine.
The cost of housing in Bulgaria has surged dramatically in recent years
Rents in Sofia, Varna, and Burgas are seeing significant growth, but they remain among the most affordable in Europe
If Bulgaria adopts the euro in July 2025, property prices are expected to rise further
In the third quarter of 2024, housing prices in Bulgaria saw a notable rise of 16.5% compared to the same period last year
The real estate market in Sofia remains robust as the year draws to a close
Housing affordability in Sofia has improved since the pandemic, making it one of the few capitals in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) to experience this positive trend
Bulgaria's Perperikon: A European Counterpart to Peru's Machu Picchu
Bulgarians Among EU's Least Frequent Vacationers, Struggling with Affordability