Budget deficit in 2025 will be below 3%, Finance Minister says

The state budget for next year will be with a deficit below 3%, caretaker Finance Minister Lyudmila Petkova said on October 4. She presented an analysis of trends in revenues and expenditures for the period 2022-2024.

The growth rate of expenditures significantly outpaces revenues. The trend is expected to continue next year - next year revenues will grow by BGN 7 billion and BGN 200 million, which represents an annual growth of 7.7%.

Expenses, however, will increase by 18.2% to over 18 billion BGN. Discussions on the new financial framework are to be held with political parties, employers and trade unions. Bulgaria is expected to meet the eurozone criteria by the end of the year.