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OECD: Second wave of Covid-19 will shrink the Bulgarian economy by over 8%

Photo: capital.bg

The Bulgarian economy grew before the pandemic, but in 2020 it is facing its most serious contraction since the late 1990s. In the most favourable scenario with the epidemic subsiding by the summer, its production will shrink by 7.1% in 2020, and in 2021 the economy will grow. 
However, if the country is hit by a second wave of coronavirus, it will shrink its economy by about 8% this year and by another 0.3% in 2021. This is indicated by the forecast of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development for Bulgaria (according to the European Commission by 7.2% and according to the government by 3%). 
According to the analysis, a restart of the economy may require more political support. Unemployment could rise, especially if the government's wage subsidy scheme ends in July without being replaced by new employment policies.



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