Bulgaria ranks 35th out of 40 countries in the 2026 Wealth of Nations Index (WNI), remaining the lowest-ranked EU member state, according to data cited by the Institute for Market Economy (IME). The country recorded 546 points, an increase of 13 points compared to the previous year, but its overall position remained unchanged.

Despite the low ranking, Bulgaria has shown gradual long-term progress. Over the past 11 years, its overall score has risen by around 20%, placing it among the faster-improving countries in the index. However, analysts note that the gap with other EU states remains substantial.

The IME assessment highlights significant weaknesses in public spending efficiency. Key structural problems include underperforming healthcare, education, and environmental conditions, which are described as a legacy of prolonged political instability and delayed reforms. At the same time, defense and infrastructure are identified as comparatively stronger areas.

The report also notes expectations that Bulgaria's integration into the eurozone and Schengen area could attract additional investment flows. While the private sector shows somewhat stronger performance than the public sector, recent economic growth is increasingly driven by consumption, credit expansion, and a growing redistributive role of the state.

The Wealth of Nations Index, compiled by the Warsaw Institute of Entrepreneurship in cooperation with 20 international think tanks, evaluates 40 countries across the EU, OECD, and Ukraine. It separates private and public sector performance and measures how effectively governments operate across seven areas: defense, internal security, infrastructure, environment, healthcare, and education at all levels.