Statistical data

The number of employees under labour contract in 2023 increased by 24.1 thousand, or by 1.1%, as compared to 2022 and reached 2.30 million according to the final data of the National Statistical Institute (NSI).

The average annual gross wages and salaries of the employees under labour contract in 2023 amounted to 24 485 BGN and increased by 15.3% compared to 2022.

In 2023, the total number of active family businesses in the country was 107 005. The total number of businesses in the ‘Trade, repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles’ sector - 34 795, or 32.5%. Compared to 2022, number of active family businesses in the sector decreased by 203, or by 0.6%.

The largest number of family businesses and employed persons was in the Yugozapaden region. The total number of businesses in Yugozapaden region was 35 589 and 128 006. Compared to 2022, the number of enterprises increased by 824, or 2.4%, and the number of employees by 3 217, or 2.5%.

The number of employed persons in family businesses was 391 575, with the highest number in Sofia (capital) - 87 863.

Detailed data can be found on the NSI website under the heading 'Family business statistics'.

The expenditure on the acquisition of tangible fixed assets in all sectors of the economy amounted in 2023 to 33 503 million BGN at current prices and increased by 21.7% compared to the previous year. The largest volume of investments in tangible fixed assets was in the sector of Industry (except Construction) - 9 073 million BGN, followed by the Service sector (Wholesale and retail trade; Repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles; Transport, communication and services; Accommodation and food service activities) with 7 785 million BGN invested.

Detailed data can be found on the NSI website under the heading 'Investments'.

According to final data the foreign direct investments (FDI) in the non-financial sector as of 31.12.2023 amounted to 32 718 million euro at current prices, which is 11.4% more compared to the previous year.

In 2023, the largest volume of the foreign direct investments was made in the Industry sector - 13 495 million euro. Next by FDI volume was the Service sector (Wholesale and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles; Transport, communication and services; Accommodation and food service activities) - 7 930 million euro.

Detailed data can be found on the NSI website under the heading 'Foreign direct investments'.

The National Statistical Institute published final data on the activity of Financial Enterprises and Associations and Foundations for 2023.

Insurance Companies

The balance value of assets of insurance as 31.12.2023 being 8 895 million BGN. In the life insurance sector, gross written premiums amount to 490 million BGN, and the balance of the technical report is 88 million BGN. In the technical report of General Insurance, the gross accrued written premiums amount to 3 898 million BGN, and the balance of the technical report is BGN 285 million. In 2023, the insurance companies have reported a positive financial result of their activity for 307 million BGN.

Pension Companies and Pension Funds

The balance value of the assets of the pension insurance companies at the end of the year for 621 million BGN. Realized profit amounted to 95 million BGN.

The assets balance value of the supplementary pension insurance funds is 23 028 million BGN, and the investments reached 21 459 million BGN. The balance value of the assets of the pension payment funds is 130 million BGN, and the investments reached 80 million BGN.

Specialized Investment Companies

The balance value of the assets at the end of the year of the specialized investment companies is 15 009 million BGN. The foreign assets received (financial instruments and cash of customers) amounted to 9 675 million BGN.

The financial income of the specialized investment enterprises in 2023 amounts to 1 618 million BGN, and the financial result for the year is a profit of 254 million BGN.

Associations and Foundations

According to the final data of the NSI for the associations and foundations that submitted an annual report on their activities, the balance sheet value of their assets is 1 642 million BGN.

The revenues from regulated activity amount to 997 million BGN, and the profit from economic activity is 33 million BGN.

Detailed data can be found on the NSI website under the heading 'Financial Enterprises'.

According to the final data of the National Statistical Institute аnnual reports on their activity for 2023 were submitted by 462 752 non-financial enterprises, which was 3.0% more than 2022. Their number of persons employed calculated in full-time equivalent was 2 220 451, or by 1.5% more than the previous year.

In non-financial enterprises, revenues from the activity amount to 529 692 million BGN, and expenses for the activity in enterprises for 2023 are 489 747 million BGN.

Detailed data can be found on the NSI website under the heading 'Non-financial Enterprises'.

According to the final data of the National Statistical Institute for 2023, the total receipts from the activity of construction enterprises are in the amount of 26 506 million BGN, which is 24.3% more compared to 2022.

The receipts from new construction and improvements are 24 557 million BGN, and from maintenance and repairs - 1 949 million BGN.

The receipts from building construction are 12 477 million BGN, or 18.4% more than the previous year.

The receipts from civil construction are 14 029 million BGN, or 30.1% more than in 2022.

Detailed data can be found on the NSI website under the heading 'Non-financial Enterprises'.

NSI publishes final data on wholesale sales of consumer goods, retail sales and retail sales premises for 2023.

The non-financial enterprises in Bulgaria realized wholesale sales (incl. VAT and excise taxes) of 85 673 million BGN, of which 60.4% were from durable and other consumer goods and 39.6% - from food, beverages and tobacco products. Compared to the previous year, the volume of wholesale sales increased by 4.2%.

The retail sales (incl. VAT and excise duties) amounted to 71 905 million BGN, with durable and other consumer goods dominating with a share of 62.9%. Compared to 2022, the volume of retail sales increased by 10.5%.

In 2023, there were 156 186 retail sales premises operating in the country. The largest share have Shops and pavilions - 68.2%, followed by: Non-stationary premises for delivery of goods (incl. vending machines) - 15.8%, Warehouses for retail sales - 10.1%, Stalls and markets in the stationary trade network - 4.1%, Petrol stations and gas stations - 1.8%.

Detailed data can be found on the NSI website under the heading 'Domestic Trade'.

In September 2024, compared to August 2024, an increase was reported in the production of solid fuels - by 17.7%. A decrease was reported in the production of: liquefied petroleum gases - by 30.8%, motor gasoline - by 13.3%, electricity - by 6.0%, and transport diesel - by 5.8%. There is no change in the production of natural gas.

Compared to September 2023, an increase is reported in the production of: liquefied petroleum gases - by 12.5%, solid fuels - by 3.5%, transport diesel - by 0.8%, and electricity - by 0.7%. A decrease is reported in the production of motor gasoline - by 17.3%. There is no change in the production of natural gas. 

In September 2024, compared to August 2024, an increase was reported in the deliveries of: solid fuels - by 15.5%, natural gas - by 3.3%, and liquefied petroleum gases - by 2.8%. A decrease was reported in the deliveries of: transport diesel - by 33.3%, motor gasoline - by 27.1%, and electricity - by 10.9%.

Compared to September 2023, an increase is reported in the deliveries of: natural gas - by 6.1%, solid fuels - by 2.2%, and electricity - by 1.9%. A decrease is reported in the deliveries of: liquefied petroleum gases - by 15.9%, transport diesel - by 13.8%, and motor gasoline - by 1.9%.

In 2023, compared to 2022, the total energy supply in the country decreased by 12.14% to 16 998.357 thousand tons of oil equivalent.

Final energy consumption in the country decreased by 3.42% in 2023 compared to the previous year, reaching 9 520.082 thousand tons of oil equivalent. The transport sector has the largest share in the final energy consumption, which in 2023 was 37.06% or 3 527.768 thousand tons of oil equivalent.

Detailed data on the Overall Energy Balance of the country are published on the NSI website under the heading “Energy”.