According to the seasonally adjusted data, the GDP growth rate in the fourth quarter of 2017 is 3.5% compared with the same quarter of 2016.
According to the preliminary data, GDP per person employed increased by 0.7% in the fourth quarter of 2017 compared to the same quarter of the previous year.
In 2016, regional GDP per capita, expressed in terms of purchasing power standards, ranged from 29% of the European Union (EU) average in the Bulgarian region of Severozapaden, to 611% 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 December 2017 compared to November 2017 an increase is reported for the production of solid fuels - by 6.8%, liquefied petroleum gases - by 11.1%, unleaded motor gasoline - by 5.2%, transport diesel - by 6.7% and electricity - by 2.7%.
In December 2017 compared to November 2017 an increase is reported for the deliveries of solid fuels - by 7.7%, transport diesel - by 1.2%, natural gas - by 10.6% and electricity - by 7.1%. At the same time a decrease is reported for the deliveries of unleaded motor gasoline - by 36.0%. No change for the deliveries of liquefied petroleum gases.
In January 2018, the number of the trips of Bulgarian residents abroad was 387.6 thousand or by 4.9% above the registered in January 2017. The trips with other purposes (as a guest, education and visit the cultural and sport events) in January 2018 composed the greatest share of the total number of trips of Bulgarian residents abroad - 49.1%, followed by the trips with professional purpose - 25.8%, and with holiday and recreation purpose - 25.1%.
In January 2018, the number of arrivals of visitors from abroad to Bulgaria was 544.0 thousand or by 19.7% more in comparison with January 2017. In January 2018, the predominant share of the visits with holiday and recreation purpose was 43.4%, followed by trips with other purposes - 39.0%, and with professional purpose - 17.6%.
Total Producer Price Index in January 2018 increases with 0.8% compared to the previous month; compared to the same month of 2017 the prices rose by 4.1%. Producer Price Index on Domestic Market in January 2018 increases by 1.0% compared to the previous month; compared to the same month of 2017 the domestic prices grew by 5.6%.
In February 2018, the total business climate indicator increases by 0.5 percentage points in comparison with the previous month. An improvement of the business conjuncture is registered in construction, while in industry slight reduction is observed. In retail trade and service sector the indicator preserves approximately to its January level.
The producer price index in agriculture in the fourth quarter of 2017 decreased by 4.7% in comparison with the same quarter of 2016. The crop output index decreased by 7.5%, while the prices of animal output went up - by 8.9%. In comparison with previous year the prices of agricultural output went down by 5.1% as result of the drop down of the prices in crop output - by 8.4% and rise up in animal output - by 7.5%
The index of prices of goods and services currently consumed in agriculture in the fourth quarter of 2017 increased by 2.0% compared to the same quarter of previous year and by 1.7% compared to 2016.
According to preliminary data during the fourth quarter of 2017 in comparison with the same period of 2016 there was a decrease both in the goods carried and in the transport performance by the freight land and water transport.
In the fourth quarter of 2017 the transported passengers and the transport performance by passenger transport (land, water and urban electrical transport) decreased compared to the same period of the previous year, respectively by 0.7% and 8.1%.
According to the preliminary data for the fourth quarter of 2017 the total turnover index in section ‘Transportation, storage and post’, calculated on the basis of seasonally adjusted data increased by 1.0% compared to the third quarter of 2017. In section ‘Information and communication’ the turnover index grew by 2.6%.