Northern Bulgaria has an added value of 6 billion leva, compared to 12 billion leva in the south, due to the latter's higher industrialization.

Manufacturing value added is significantly higher in southern Bulgaria, where 36% of economic value added is located, compared to 32% in the north. The ageing population in the north is 26% compared to 23% in the south. Lazar Bogdanov emphasized the need for investment and infrastructure to boost the development of the north, which benefits from the Danube. He also noted that Bucharest is the dominant economic center in the region, with an economy three times the size of Bulgaria. Fiscal decentralization and attracting young people are key to the region's progress.