Bulgaria's construction sector accounted for nearly 5% of national GDP last year. The total value of its construction works grew by 12% in a single year, yet two-thirds of firms reported significant labor shortages. These statistics reveal the sector's competing dynamics of rapid expansion and operational strain.
Key Takeaways
- In 2022, Bulgaria's construction sector contributed 4.8% to the national GDP, amounting to approximately 10.2 billion BGN in gross value added
- The number of employed persons in Bulgaria's construction sector was 193,200 in 2022
- In Q4 2023, Bulgaria's construction production grew by 5.2% year-on-year
- Bulgaria invested 2.1 billion EUR in EU-funded infrastructure projects in 2023
- Bulgaria's construction buildings segment output was 7.9 billion BGN in 2023
Bulgaria’s construction industry grew steadily, showing strong demand and improving momentum across major projects.
Related reading
01 · Category
Economic Contribution And Market Size20 stats
01
In 2022, Bulgaria's construction sector contributed 4.8% to the national GDP, amounting to approximately 10.2 billion BGN in gross value added
02
The total value of construction works in Bulgaria reached 18.5 billion BGN in 2023, marking a 12% increase from the previous year
03
Bulgaria's construction market size was valued at USD 7.2 billion in 2021, with expectations to grow steadily
04
Residential construction accounted for 42% of the total construction output value in Bulgaria in 2022
05
The non-residential building construction segment in Bulgaria generated 3.8 billion BGN in 2022
06
Civil engineering works in Bulgaria totaled 6.1 billion BGN in 2023, representing 33% of the sector's total output
07
Bulgaria's construction industry turnover index stood at 115.2 in 2022 (2015=100)
08
The construction sector in Bulgaria employed capital worth 25.4 billion BGN in fixed assets as of 2022
09
In 2021, Bulgaria's construction production volume increased by 9.7% year-on-year
10
The value added at factor cost in Bulgaria's construction was 7.9 billion BGN in 2020
11
Bulgaria's construction sector represented 5.1% of total employment in the economy in 2022
12
Total construction enterprises in Bulgaria numbered 12,450 in 2022
13
Micro-enterprises dominated Bulgaria's construction with 92% of total firms in 2021
14
Average personnel costs in Bulgarian construction reached 12,500 BGN per employee annually in 2022
15
Bulgaria's construction apparent labour productivity was 78,200 BGN per employee in 2022
16
The construction industry's share in Bulgaria's total investments was 22.3% in 2023
17
Bulgaria's construction output per capita stood at 1,450 EUR in 2022
18
Total turnover of construction firms in Bulgaria was 16.8 billion BGN in 2021
19
Bulgaria's construction sector exported services worth 450 million BGN in 2022
20
Intermediate consumption in Bulgaria's construction reached 10.3 billion BGN in 2022
Interpretation
Economic Contribution And Market Size Interpretation
In the economic contribution and market size lens, Bulgaria’s construction sector grew to 18.5 billion BGN in 2023, up 12% year over year, while it still contributed 4.8% to national GDP in 2022, showing both rising market momentum and continued economic weight.
02 · Category
Employment And Labor Statistics18 stats
01
The number of employed persons in Bulgaria's construction sector was 193,200 in 2022
02
Construction employment rate in Bulgaria was 4.9% of total employment in Q4 2023
03
Average monthly gross wages in Bulgarian construction reached 1,850 BGN in 2023
04
There were 245,000 persons employed in construction including self-employed in 2022
05
Unemployment rate in Bulgaria's construction sector was 3.2% in 2023
06
Female employment in construction constituted 12.5% of the workforce in 2022
07
Average age of construction workers in Bulgaria was 42.3 years in 2021 survey
08
Part-time employment in construction was 4.1% of total jobs in 2023
09
Temporary employment share in Bulgarian construction was 18.7% in 2022
10
Construction firms employed average 15.5 persons per enterprise in 2022
11
Youth employment (15-24) in construction was 8.2% of sector workforce in 2023
12
Labor shortages reported by 65% of Bulgarian construction firms in 2023 survey
13
Average working hours in construction were 41.2 hours per week in 2022
14
Vocational training participation in construction workforce was 22.4% in 2021
15
Migrant workers comprised 11.3% of construction labor in Bulgaria in 2023
16
Employment cost index in construction increased by 10.5% y-o-y in 2023
17
Bulgaria's construction sector had 12,450 enterprises employing 193,200 in 2022
18
Older workers (55+) made up 28.6% of construction employment in 2022
Interpretation
Employment And Labor Statistics Interpretation
In Bulgaria’s construction sector, employment remains solid with 245,000 people employed in 2022 and construction accounting for 4.9% of total employment in Q4 2023, while unemployment is low at 3.2% in 2023.
03 · Category
Growth And Performance Indicators18 stats
01
In Q4 2023, Bulgaria's construction production grew by 5.2% year-on-year
02
The annual growth rate of Bulgaria's construction turnover was 11.8% in 2022
03
Bulgaria's building construction permits issued increased by 15.4% in 2023 compared to 2022
04
Construction confidence indicator in Bulgaria rose to -15.2 points in December 2023
05
Bulgaria's construction production index for new work rose 7.1% y-o-y in 2021
06
The sector experienced a 3.2% contraction in civil engineering output in Q1 2023
07
Bulgaria's residential construction grew by 18.2% in volume terms in 2022
08
Non-residential construction output increased by 4.5% y-o-y in 2023
09
Bulgaria's construction investment growth rate was projected at 4.8% for 2024
10
The turnover growth in specialized construction activities was 13.7% in 2022
11
Bulgaria's construction sector recovery post-COVID saw 9.5% growth in 2021
12
Building completion index in Bulgaria advanced 12.3% y-o-y in 2022
13
Construction costs index in Bulgaria rose by 8.9% in 2023
14
Bulgaria's gross fixed capital formation in construction grew 6.4% in 2022
15
The sector's value chain growth was 10.2% for buildings in 2023
16
Bulgaria's construction employment growth was 2.1% in 2023
17
Productivity growth in construction stood at 5.7% y-o-y in 2022
18
Bulgaria's construction average annual growth rate from 2018-2022 was 7.3%
Interpretation
Growth And Performance Indicators Interpretation
Bulgaria’s Construction Growth And Performance Indicators point to accelerating momentum, with construction production up 5.2% year on year in Q4 2023 and building permits rising 15.4% in 2023, even as civil engineering output fell 3.2% in Q1 2023.
More related reading
04 · Category
Investments, Projects, And Forecasts16 stats
01
Bulgaria invested 2.1 billion EUR in EU-funded infrastructure projects in 2023
02
The Struma Motorway project Phase 3 cost 450 million BGN and completed in 2022
03
Sofia Metro Line 3 extension received 300 million EUR funding in 2023
04
Bulgaria's construction market forecasted to reach USD 9.5 billion by 2027, CAGR 5.2%
05
Residential construction investments projected at 5.8 billion BGN for 2024
06
Government capital expenditure on construction budgeted 4.2 billion BGN in 2024
07
FDI in Bulgarian construction sector totaled 180 million EUR in 2022
08
Hemus Motorway Lot 3.1 investment 250 million BGN underway in 2023
09
Black Sea Highway rehabilitation project cost 120 million EUR, completed 2022
10
Sofia Airport Terminal 2 expansion 200 million EUR investment planned 2024
11
Maritsa Motorway 3rd lane project 350 million BGN funded by OPIC 2023-2027
12
Construction market growth forecast at 4.1% annually to 2028
13
Private sector investments in commercial real estate 1.8 billion BGN in 2023
14
EU Cohesion Fund allocation for Bulgarian infrastructure 7.5 billion EUR 2021-2027
15
Varna residential developments investment 950 million BGN pipeline 2024
16
Plovdiv industrial parks construction 400 million BGN invested 2022-2023
Interpretation
Investments, Projects, And Forecasts Interpretation
Bulgaria’s investments in infrastructure and construction are set to stay strong, with 2024 government spending of 4.2 billion BGN alongside projected 5.8 billion BGN in residential construction and a market forecast to hit USD 9.5 billion by 2027 at a 5.2% CAGR.
05 · Category
Sector Segmentation And Output17 stats
01
Bulgaria's construction buildings segment output was 7.9 billion BGN in 2023
02
Civil engineering output in Bulgaria totaled 6.4 billion BGN, 35% of total in 2022
03
Residential buildings construction value was 4.2 billion BGN in 2023
04
Non-residential buildings output reached 3.7 billion BGN in 2022
05
Road construction works valued at 2.8 billion BGN in Bulgaria 2023
06
Utility projects (water, sewer) output was 1.9 billion BGN in 2022
07
Specialized construction activities generated 9.1 billion BGN turnover in 2023
08
Demolition and site preparation output was 450 million BGN in 2022
09
Electrical installations segment output 1.2 billion BGN in Bulgaria 2023
10
Plumbing and HVAC works valued at 950 million BGN in 2022
11
Building completion and finishing output 2.1 billion BGN in 2023
12
Roof covering and roofing works 650 million BGN in Bulgaria 2022
13
Floor and wall covering installation 780 million BGN output in 2023
14
Painting and glazing works valued at 550 million BGN in 2022
15
Other construction installation output 1.1 billion BGN in 2023
16
Railway construction segment was 380 million BGN in Bulgaria 2022
17
Bridge and tunnel construction output 620 million BGN in 2023
Interpretation
Sector Segmentation And Output Interpretation
In the Sector Segmentation and Output view of Bulgaria’s construction industry, building works totaled 7.9 billion BGN in 2023 while civil engineering accounted for 6.4 billion BGN in 2022, and residential construction led with 4.2 billion BGN in 2023 as road works reached 2.8 billion BGN.
report visual · Projection
Bulgaria construction: growth signals over the latest years
Construction output and turnover show positive momentum across recent periods.
9.7 YoY / growth rate
Start
+26%
CAGR · 2y
15.4 YoY / growth rate
Projected
20212023
Reference
Cite This Report
This report is designed to be cited. We maintain stable URLs and versioned verification dates. Copy the format appropriate for your publication below.
APA
Ryan Townsend. (2026, February 13). Bulgaria Construction Industry Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/bulgaria-construction-industry-statistics
MLA
Ryan Townsend. "Bulgaria Construction Industry Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/bulgaria-construction-industry-statistics.
Chicago
Ryan Townsend. 2026. "Bulgaria Construction Industry Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/bulgaria-construction-industry-statistics.
Sources & references
12 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level