Statistical data

According to the preliminary data, in February 2020 the index of production in section ‘Construction’ calculated on the base of seasonally adjusted data was 0.6% below the level of the previous month. In February 2020 the working day adjusted index of production in construction decreased by 1.1% in comparison with the same month of 2019.

According to the preliminary seasonally adjusted data in February 2020 the turnover in ‘Retail trade, except of motor vehicles and motorcycles’ at constant prices increased by 0.9% compared to the previous month. 

According to the preliminary data in February 2020 the Industrial Production Index, seasonally adjusted, rose by 1.1% as compared to January 2020. In February 2020 the working day adjusted Industrial Production Index increased by 0.1% in comparison with the same month of 2019.

The key indicators are elaborated in accordance with the euro area, European Union and individual Member States indicators system. The analytical document is quarterly updated. Source of the data are the NSI  statistical surveys and BNB data.

In January 2020 compared to December 2019 an increase is reported for the production of unleaded motor gasoline - by 1.4% and natural gas - by 20.0%. During the same period, a decrease is reported for the production of solid fuels - by 9.1%, transport diesel - by 2.6%, and electricity - by 2.7%. No change for the production of liquefied petroleum gases.

In January 2020 compared to December 2019 an increase is reported for the deliveries of liquefied petroleum gases - by 4.9%, unleaded motor gasoline - by 21.2%, natural gas - by 7.8%, and electricity - by 8.8%. During the same period, a decrease is reported for the deliveries of solid fuels - by 8.8% and transport diesel - by 4.3%.

Total Producer Price Index in February 2020 decreased by 1.0% compared to the previous month; compared to the same month of 2019 the prices rose by 1.4%. Producer Price Index on Domestic Market in February 2020 remains unchanged compared to the previous month; compared to the same month of 2019 the domestic prices grew by 3.1%.

According to the NSI business inquiries in March 2020, carried out in the period 2.03 - 18.03.2020, the total business climate indicator decreases by 3.7 percentage points in comparison with February. A reduction of the indicator is registered in industry, retail trade and service sector.

In February 2020, the number of the trips of Bulgarian residents abroad was 400.6 thousand or by 1.0% above the registered in February 2019. The trips with other purposes (as a guest, education and visit the cultural and sport events) in February 2020 composed the greatest share of the total number of trips of Bulgarian residents abroad - 49.2%, followed by those with professional purpose - 27.8%, and with holiday and recreation purposes - 23.0%.

In February 2020, the number of arrivals of visitors from abroad to Bulgaria was 508.0 thousand or by 5.2% more in comparison with February 2019. In February 2020, the predominant share of the visits with holiday and recreation purpose was 42.4%, followed by trips with other purposes - 38.8%, and with professional purpose - 18.8%.

Preliminary data of the NSI for the fourth quarter of 2019 indicate that the total hourly labour cost rose by 11.9% compared to the fourth quarter of 2018.

In 2019 the unemployment rate was 4.2% by 1.0 percentage point lower in comparison with 2018.

The employment rate for the age group 20 - 64 years achieved 75.0%, by 2.6 percentage points higher compared to 2018.