site.btaForeign-Controlled Enterprises Contribute 20% to Bulgaria’s Economy, 24% to EU Economy

In 2022, enterprises controlled by individuals or entities outside the European Union generated about 20% of the value added in the business producers’ market in Bulgaria. The foreign-controlled companies represented around 2% of all businesses in the country, according to Eurostat data made public on the statistical office's website on Thursday.

At the EU level, only 1% of EU market producer enterprises were under foreign control. More than half, 63%, were controlled by institutional units from other EU countries, while 37% were resident outside the EU.

Even if small in numbers, foreign-controlled enterprises contributed significantly to the EU economy, constituting 24% of value added in the business producers’ market in the EU. Value added by foreign-controlled enterprises was the highest in Ireland (71%), Luxembourg (55%) and Slovakia (52%). By contrast, the lowest shares of value added were observed in France (16%), Germany and Italy (both 17%).