EU Population Trends: Bulgaria Sees Largest Decrease
As of January 1, 2023, the European Union (EU) has a population of 448.8 million people. Germany is the most populous EU country, with 84.4 million residents (19% of the EU total),
Experts suggest that Bulgaria's admission to the Eurozone is more realistic in January 2026, according to insights from Cinzia Alcidi of the Brussels Center for the Study of European Politics, as reported by Politico. Despite previous aims for entry on January 1, 2025, various factors, including Russian-funded disinformation campaigns, political uncertainties, persistent inflation, and insufficient public support, cast doubts on meeting the earlier target.
Political leaders in Bulgaria, including the governor of the Bulgarian National Bank, acknowledge the possibility of delayed entry, potentially around mid-2025. However, technical considerations related to the timing of accession make a mid-year entry less conventional.
The European Central Bank's upcoming assessment of Bulgaria's readiness, expected before summer, will play a crucial role in determining the feasibility of entry. Meeting the Eurozone criteria demands that Bulgaria's inflation rate does not exceed that of the top three performing EU countries by more than 1.5 percentage points. Despite favorable budgetary conditions, Bulgaria's current inflation forecast for 2025, standing at 2.9%, suggests a more plausible entry in 2026.
Zsolt Darvas from the Bruegel think tank emphasizes that Bulgaria's fiscal position remains robust, indicating readiness for Eurozone integration. However, he highlights the potential for expedited entry by leveraging the "gray zone," as seen in Croatia's accession in 2023. Yet, any acceleration must be backed by valid justifications.
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In April, inflation across the European Union remained steady, with both the EU and the Eurozone recording a rate of 2.6% and 2.4%, respectively, according to data from Eurostat, the official statistics agency of the EU
Julian Voinov, an economist and financial expert, expressed optimism regarding Bulgaria's potential adoption of the euro in 2025 or early 2026
This was stated by the Governor of the Bulgarian National Bank at the international conference "Bulgaria in the Eurozone, When?" in Sofia
Former Finance Minister Simeon Dyankov has suggested that Bulgaria's potential entry into the Eurozone may not materialize before 2026
In the initial quarter of 2024, Bulgaria's economy expanded by 0.4%, as per an expedited evaluation by the National Statistical Institute (NSI), a slight deceleration from the 0.5% growth witnessed in the final quarter of the preceding year
According to Levon Hampartzoumian, the likelihood of Bulgaria joining the Eurozone in 2025 is very slim, as no country has ever entered during the middle of the year
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