Statistical data

According to preliminary data of the National Statistical Institute in the fourth quarter of 2018 the number of newly built residential buildings was 721 and the newly built dwellings in them were 2 345. Compared to the fourth quarter of 2017 the buildings were by 67 more (or by 10.2%) and the newly built dwellings in them increased by 304 or by 14.9%. 

According to the preliminary data, in December 2018 the index of production in section ‘Construction’ calculated on the base of seasonally adjusted data was 2.4% below the level of the previous month. In December 2018 the working day adjusted index of production in construction decreased by 1.4% in comparison with the same month of 2017.

According to the preliminary seasonally adjusted data in December 2018 the turnover in ‘Retail trade, except of motor vehicles and motorcycles’ at constant prices decreased by 0.3% compared to the previous month.

According to the preliminary data the Industrial Production Index, seasonally adjusted, decreased by 2.3% in December 2018 as compared to November 2018. In December 2018 the working day adjusted Industrial Production Index fall by 3.8% in comparison with the same month of 2017.

In January 2019, the total consumer confidence indicator increases by 1.9 percentage points compared to its October 2018 level, as for the urban population the increase is 1.0 percentage point and for the rural population - 2.9 percentage points.

In the fourth quarter of 2018, the municipal authorities issued building permits for construction of 1 477 residential buildings with 11 682 dwellings, of 33 administrative buildings/offices and 1 319 other buildings. The construction of 935 residential buildings with 5 881 dwellings, of 11 administrative buildings/offices and 624 other buildings was started.

In November 2018 compared to October 2018 an increase is reported for the production of electricity - by 17.1%. At the same time a decrease is reported for the production of solid fuels - by 8.6%, unleaded motor gasoline - by 6.5%, and transport diesel - by 4.4%. No change for the production of liquefied petroleum gases and natural gas.

In November 2018 compared to October 2018 an increase is reported for the deliveries of natural gas - by 36.3% and electricity - by 14.7%. At the same time a decrease is reported for the deliveries of solid fuels - by 8.3%, liquefied petroleum gases - by 15.4%, unleaded motor gasoline - by 54.2%, and transport diesel - by 11.8%.

Total Producer Price Index in December 2018 decreased with 0.7% compared to the previous month; compared to the same month of 2017 the prices rose by 2.7%. Producer Price Index on Domestic Market in December 2018 fell by 0.4% compared to the previous month; compared to the same month of 2017 the domestic prices grew by 2.9%. 

In January 2019, the total business climate indicator increases by 1.9 percentage points in comparison with December 2018 which is due to the improved business climate in industry, construction and service sector.

In December 2018, the number of the trips of Bulgarian residents abroad was 478.4 thousand or by 4.2% above the registered in December 2017. The trips with other purposes (as a guest, education and visit the cultural and sport events) in December 2018 composed the greatest share of the total number of trips of Bulgarian residents abroad - 49.4%, followed by the trips with holiday and recreation purpose - 27.6%, and with professional purpose - 23.0%

In December 2018, the number of arrivals of visitors from abroad to Bulgaria was 619.9 thousand or by 4.0% more in comparison with December 2017. In December 2018, the predominant share of the visits with other purposes was 46.3%, followed by trips with holiday and recreation purpose - 35.4%, and with professional purpose - 18.3%.