 Economic indicators have worsened amid the late @-@ 2000s financial crisis . After several consecutive years of high growth , GDP contracted 5 @.@ 5 per cent in 2009 and unemployment remains above 12 per cent . Industrial output declined 10 per cent , mining by 31 per cent , and ferrous and metal production marked a 60 per cent drop . Positive growth was restored in 2010 , although investments and consumption continue to decline steadily due to rising unemployment . The same year , intercompany debt exceeded € 51 billion , meaning that 60 per cent of all Bulgarian companies were mutually indebted . By 2012 , it had increased to € 83 billion , or 227 per cent of GDP . The government implemented strict austerity measures with IMF and EU encouragement to some positive fiscal results , but the social consequences of these measures have been " catastrophic " according to the International Trade Union Confederation . Corruption remains another obstacle to economic growth . Bulgaria is one of the most corrupt European Union members and ranks 75th in the Corruption Perceptions Index . Weak law enforcement and overall low capacity of civil service remain as challenges in curbing corruption . However , fighting against corruption has become the focus of the government because of the EU accession , and several anti @-@ corruption programs have been undertaken by different government agencies . 
