Bulgaria, receiving less press than its neighbor to the north Romania, boasts strong economic growth.  Problems continue to plague the country, and time will tell whether EU membership will help to limit such corruption and inhibitions to rapid economic growth.

Economic Structure

• Strong Economic Growth since 1996
• Inflation (6.1% 2007 CPI est.) , Corruption still a problem
• GDP: $ 39.6 billion
• Real GDP Growth: 6.2% in 2007
• Peak of Economic Boom Cycle
• Projected 6% annual growth through 2012
• Unemployment: 6.9% (down from 9.7%)
• Nominal Wage Growth: 20.6%
• Current Account Balance: -12.2% of GDP
• Opportunity for Consumer Good Importers
• Imports: EUR24bn, EUR39bn by 2012
• Exports: 18 EURbn
• Consumption: 88% of GDP

Demographic:

• Median Age
• male: 38.9 years
• female: 43.4 years
• Sex Ratio
• under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
• 15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female
• 65 years and over: 0.69 male(s)/female
• Income per Capita: $11,800
• Marriage 4x as common in urban areas as in rural areas
• 26,658 urban marriages versus 6,843 rural marriages in 2006

Bulgaria's Key Industries

• Minerals
• Coal, copper, and zinc
• Tourism
• 6% projected annual growth 2008-2012
• January 2008, government announced national strategy for increasing tourism from EUR2.4bn to EUR6bn
• Massive construction in hot spots (e.g. Black Sea)
• Residential House Prices: 30% Increase
• Largest in world for 2007

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