Statistical data

According to the preliminary seasonally adjusted data in February 2017 the turnover in ‘Retail trade, except of motor vehicles and motorcycles’ at constant prices increased by 0.2% compared to the previous month.

According to the preliminary data the Industrial Production Index, seasonally adjusted, increased by 3.7% in February 2017 as compared to January 2017. In February 2017 the working day adjusted Industrial Production Index rose by 5.0% in comparison with the same month of 2016.

In 2015, regional GDP per capita, expressed in terms of purchasing power standards, ranged from slightly less than 30% of the European Union (EU) average in the Bulgarian region of Severozapaden, to 580% of the average in Inner London - West in the United Kingdom.

This information is taken from data released by Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union.

In January 2017 compared to December 2016 an increase is reported for the production of electricity - by 3.5%. At the same time a decrease is reported for the production of solid fuels by 5.0%, unleaded motor gasoline - by 8.3%, transport diesel - by 6.9%, natural gas - by 20.0%. No change is reported for the production of liquefied petroleum gases.

In January 2017 compared to December 2016 an increase is reported for the deliveries of natural gas by 15.8% and electricity - by 15.2%. At the same time a decrease is reported for the deliveries of solid fuels - by 4.4%, liquefied petroleum gases - by 13.6%, unleaded motor gasoline - by 24.0% and transport diesel by 27.4%.

Total Producer Price Index in February 2017 increased by 1.0% compared to the previous month; compared to the same month of 2016 the prices rose by 5.9%. Producer Price Index on Domestic Market in February 2017 grew by 0.6% compared to the previous month; compared to the same month of 2016 the domestic prices ran up by 2.9%.

In March 2017 the total business climate indicator increases by 2.9 percentage points in comparison with February which is due to the improved business climate in industry, construction and retail trade.

In February 2017, the number of the trips of Bulgarian residents abroad was 366.8 thousand or by 30.4% above the registered in February 2016. The trips with other purposes (as a guest, education and visit the cultural and sport events) in February 2017 composed the greatest share of the total number of trips of Bulgarian residents abroad - 55.0%, followed by the trips with professional purpose - 26.1%, and with holiday and recreation purpose - 18.9%.

In February 2017, the number of arrivals of visitors from abroad to Bulgaria was 435.9 thousand or by 20.4% more in comparison with February 2016. An increase was registered in the trips by all observed purposes: with other purposes - by 25.6%, with professional purpose - by 18.7%, and with holiday and recreation purpose - by 16.8%.

Preliminary data of the NSI for the fourth quarter of 2016 indicate that the total hourly labour cost rose by 8.0% compared to the fourth quarter of 2015.

In 2016 the unemployment rate was 7.6%, and the employment rate of population aged 20 - 64 was 67.7%.