Bulgaria’s consumer confidence index improved to -25.7 in the third quarter of 2026, up from -28.6 in the previous quarter. Households were notably less pessimistic about the 12‑month outlook for the general economic situation (-25.4 vs. -33.1 in Q2) and their own financial circumstances (-23 vs. -25.6).
Inflation expectations eased sharply (14.4 vs. 26.4), indicating that consumers anticipate a slower pace of price increases over the next year. At the same time, households reported a better perception of their ability to purchase durable goods, both at present (-40.7 vs. -44.4) and over the coming 12 months (-15.8 vs. -17). Expectations for household savings also improved (-56.4 vs. -60.8).
However, concerns about the labour market intensified, with expectations for unemployment deteriorating (19.2 vs. 18.2).
