Bulgaria

Overall construction activity

In 2024, the Bulgarian economy is in economic growth and stabilisation, as the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) amounts to € 103 721 million, increasing by 2,8% compared to 2023. In 2024, the gross value added (GVA) at current prices for the entire economy amounts to € 90 376 million, increasing by 2,5% compared to 2023. For 2024, the relative share of GVA in the construction industry is 3,9% of the GDP and amounts to € 4 056 million, whereas the registered economic growth is 5,2% on an annual basis.

According to the preliminary data of the National Statistical Institute the construction industry output for 2024 registers an increase of 20,2%, compared to 2023.

Based on the statistical forecast data the revenues of the construction enterprises for 2024 will register a growth (the actual data will be published on 28th November 2025). The expected share of the residential construction in total operating revenue of the construction industry is 25,1%, of the non-residential construction – 22,4%, and of the civil engineering - 52,5% respectively.

The gross fixed capital in construction assets increased by € 383 million compared to the previous year.

Based on preliminary data from the Bulgarian National Bank (BNB), the foreign direct investments in Bulgaria's construction sector are projected to decrease by € 96,6 million in 2024, which registered a decline of 80,2% on an annual basis compared to 2023 (the data are subject to revision).

The employment in the construction industry.  The employed in the construction sector represent 5.8% of the total employment in the national economy, and the number of their had an increase of 4.8% in comparison to 2023.The unemployment in the sector for 2024 is 10,4% of the total unemployment. The decrease of the unemployment is 3,7% for the whole country, and 9,6% for the construction industry compared to 2023.

As of March 11^th, 2025, there were 7 447 construction companies registered in the Central Professional Register of Builders, maintained by the Bulgarian Construction Chamber (BCC). This data is based on 2023. Out of these companies there are 7 401 Bulgarian legal entities, and 46 foreign companies inscribed. 484 companies were removed from the Register of Builders, due to the non-compliance with the procedures outlined in Art. 20, paragraph 2 of the Bulgarian Construction Chamber Act. Based on criteria ‘personnel’ 87,42% of the inscribed construction enterprises are small, 11,84% are medium-sized, and 0,74% are large companies.

Housebuilding

THE CONSTRUCTION OF BUILDINGS, which contributes to 38,4% of the total production in the sector, registered an increase of 13,3%.

The number of the residential buildings of issued construction permits for 2024 has decreased by 4,6%, whereas their total floor area - by 14,2% respectively.

In 2024, compared to 2023, the construction of new residential buildings showed an increase of 5,7%. The number of dwellings therein grew by 11,9%, as well as the total floor area, which increased by 13,5%.

In 2024 compared to 2023, the number of residential buildings brought into use has decreased by 14,7%, whereas the number of dwellings therein decline by 19,8%, and the total floor area decreased by 24,8%. Around 76,7% of these buildings are made of reinforced concrete, which shows a decline of 14,0%. The share of brick buildings is 18,9%, which shows a decline of 22,3%. The panel and other types of completed buildings hold 4,4%.

Non-residential construction

The construction permits for the administrative/office buildings had decreased by 5,0 %, and the total floor area decreased by 18,0%. The other buildings saw a 6,3% decline, as well as a 25,4% decrease in the total floor area, compared to 2023.

The new construction of the administrative/office buildings shows decline of 28,6%, whereas the growth in the total floor area is 26,3% on an annual basis.