Bulgaria's business climate index drops in September The business climate index in Bulgaria fell by 1.3 points in September 2026, dropping from 16.6% to 15.3%, the National Statistical Institute says. The index fell in construction, retail and services. Construction lost the most, down 4.7 points, as builders rated the state of their firms worse and turned gloomier about the months ahead. In services, the index shrank by 1.6 points, with managers cautious about how their firms will fare over the next six months. Retail fell 0.8 points, as shop owners gave negative marks for both current business and their outlook. Industry was the only sector to rise, up 0.6 points, a gain the statistics institute calls minimal. There, business owners rated the current state of their firms better than before. In August, the overall index stayed roughly at its July level. Back then it fell in industry, construction and retail, while services rose.