NewsTracker Answers for week of June 09, 2025

Q: Bulgaria plans to join 20 other European Union (EU) nations using the euro as their currency. After joining the eurozone on Jan.1, the Balkan nation will face rules limiting its government debt and budget deficit. Where is Bulgaria on the Black Sea?

Circle the area on this map


Q: Bulgaria is the poorest nation in the EU. Which is the richest?

A. Austria

B. Belgium

C. Germany

D. Luxembourg


D. Tiny Luxembourg has the world’s highest gross domestic product (GDP) per person, according to the CIA World Factbook. Its GDP per person is $132,800 a year compared with $33,400 in Bulgaria. Germany has the largest economy in the EU with a Real GDP of about $5.3 trillion. That is more than 24 times larger than Bulgaria’s $215.3 billion GDP.


Q: Bulgaria has a very low level of government debt – about 30,1% of its GDP. That’s well below the 60% level set for joining the eurozone. Which of Bulgaria’s neighbors has a huge debt of 190.2% of its GDP?

A. Greece

B. Romania

C. Serbia

D. Turkey


A. A member of the Eurozone, Greece sank deeply debt during the Great Recession of 2008 and was forced to drastically raise its taxes and cut its spending. This led to a severe decline in its gross domestic product, and its debt-to-GDP ratio rose to the second-largest in the world. Japan has the largest debt ratio at 216.2%. The United States' national debt is 114.8% of its GDP.


Q: The EU and European Central Bank aim to limit the debt and budget deficits of eurozone members to protect the value and stability of the euro currency. Bulgaria had an estimated budget deficit of $3.4 billion last year compared with the US deficit of $2.1 trillion, the largest in the world. Which nation had the biggest budget surplus?

A. Ireland

B. Kuwait

C. Norway

D. United Arab Emirates


C. Norway had a budget surplus of $63.9 billion last year, followed by Kuwait with a $40 billion surplus, the United Arab Emirates at $30.4 billion, and Ireland at $25 billion. Oil and natural gas have fueled the economies of Norway, Kuwait, and the United Arab Emirates. A highly developed knowledge economy and large investments by multinational companies fired up Ireland’s growth.


Q: Which has the largest economy?

A. China

B. European Union

C. Russia

D. United States


A. According to the International Monetary Fund, China has a Real GDP of $19.6 trillion, followed by the United States with a GDP of $14.7 trillion. The 27 countries of the European Union have a combined GDP of $14.1 trillion, ranking third. Russia – the world’s largest country by area – has a GDP of $3.4 trillion.