According to preliminary data published today by Eurostat, Bulgaria recorded the most significant annual decline in industrial production among European Union member states in June 2025. The statistics reveal that the production of industrial enterprises in the country decreased by 8.2% compared to the same month of the previous year.
This result puts Bulgaria in first place for negative trends, followed by Hungary with a decrease of 4.9% and Slovenia with a 4.3% decline. On a monthly basis, compared to May 2025, industrial production in Bulgaria recorded a decrease of 1.7%, which is a reversal after the reported growth of 0.8% in the previous month.
General trends in the EU
In a broader context, Eurostat data shows that the entire European Union experienced difficulties in the industrial sector in June. Seasonally adjusted industrial production in the EU decreased by 1% compared to May, while in the eurozone the decline was even more significant - 1.3%. These results come after the positive trends observed in May, when growth of 0.8% in the EU and 1.1% in the eurozone was reported.
Despite the overall monthly decline, the situation looks more optimistic for the EU as a whole on an annual basis. In June 2025, industrial production in the Union increased by 0.5% compared to June 2024, and in the eurozone - by 0.2%.
Differences between member states
Among member states, there are significant differences in performance. Belgium, France, and Sweden report the largest increase in industrial production on a monthly basis, with 5.1%, 3.8%, and 3.8% respectively. Greece also shows a positive trend with growth of 3.3%. On the other hand, Ireland registers the most significant decline of 11.3%, followed by Portugal with 3.6% and Lithuania with 2.8%.
Analysis by sectors
The analysis by sectors reveals a diverse picture in the EU. In June compared to May, there is a decrease of 0.2% in intermediate goods, but a significant increase of 2.7% in energy production. Capital goods recorded a decline of 1.7%, while durable and non-durable consumer goods also show negative trends with decreases of 0.4% and 3.7% respectively.
In the eurozone, trends are similar, but with some differences in scale. Energy production marks an even larger increase of 2.9%, while the decline in non-durable consumer goods is more significant - 4.7%.
On an annual basis in the EU, interesting changes are observed in various sectors. While the production of intermediate goods and capital goods shows a decline, the energy sector and non-durable consumer goods show growth. Particularly impressive is the increase of 5.3% in non-durable consumer goods.
Among the member states that stand out with positive results on an annual basis are Sweden with an impressive growth of 13.4%, Ireland with 10.5%, and Latvia with 7.3%.
These data highlight the complex and diverse picture of industrial production in the European Union, with Bulgaria facing significant challenges in this sector. Experts will closely monitor the development of the situation in the coming months to determine whether this is a temporary trend or an indication of deeper structural problems in Bulgarian industry.