Bulgaria had 415,087 active companies in 2024, up 10,830 from the year before, Eurostat said today. Across the EU, there were nearly 34 million active businesses.

Bulgarian companies employ almost 2.23 million people. Their net turnover rose from 256.093 billion euros in 2023 to 271.993 billion euros, and the value they added reached 64.232 billion euros.

Across the EU, businesses employ 164.5 million people. Their turnover tops 38.7 trillion euros, and the value they add comes to 10.9 trillion euros.

Large firms with more than 249 staff make up just 0.2% of all EU businesses, but they produce 49% of the added value and employ 37% of the workforce. These figures leave out farming and the public sector.

Medium-sized firms with 50 to 249 staff make up 0.8% of businesses, 15% of jobs and 16% of added value. Micro and small firms with under 50 staff make up 99% of all businesses, employ 48% of the workforce and produce 35% of the added value.

Services bring in 51% of the added value once you leave out the public sector and defence industry. They account for 64% of businesses and 53% of the workforce. Eurostat says this is the biggest sector for both jobs and added value among the four main ones, which also include industry, trade and construction.

Industry makes up 7% of businesses, 20% of jobs and 28% of added value. Trade accounts for 17% of businesses, 18% of jobs and 15% of added value.

Construction makes up 12% of businesses, 8% of jobs and 7% of added value.