Statistical data

In the third quarter of 2023, Gross Domestic Product (GDP) grew by 1.8% and Gross Value Added (GVA) - by 0.9% compared to the third quarter of 2022 (data are preliminary and seasonally adjusted).

The increase in Gross Value Added is determined by the growth in the following economic activities:

Mining and quarrying; manufacturing; electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply; water supply, waste management and remediation activities - 2.9%, Wholesale and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles; transportation and storage; accommodation and food service activities - 2.1%, Financial and insurance activities - 1.7%, Public administration and defence; compulsory social security; education; human health and social work activities - 1.4%, Information and communication - 0.6%, Construction - 0.5%, Professional, scientific and technical activities; administrative and support service activities - 0.3%.

A decline in Agriculture, forestry and fishing was registered - by 5.7%, and in Arts, entertainment and recreation, repair of household goods and other services - by 1.8%.

Regarding the expenditure components of GDP, contributors to the registered positive economic growth are the Final consumption, with a growth of 4.3% and gross fixed capital formation increased by 9.6%.

According to the seasonally adjusted data, in the third quarter of 2023, exports of goods and services decreased by 3.1%, and the imports of goods and services dropped by 5.5% compared to the third quarter of 2022.

According to data from the additional questionnaire under the Household Budget Survey in the third quarter of 2023, the income of 31.7% of households increased compared to the previous 12 months. The share of individuals who have difficulty covering their daily expenses is 70.1%, which is almost the same compared to the previous quarter.

The survey is conducted under the project ‘Income and Living Conditions (ILC) - Statistical infrastructure under IESS - SILC 2024, 6-year module ‘Access to services’ - Pilot collection of annual data for 2023’ under Grant Agreement with the European Commission № 101122129 - 2022-BG-ILC-SILC. The additional survey aims to carry out quarterly monitoring of changes in the living conditions of households. For the study, 5 513 persons aged 16 and over from 3 059 households were surveyed.

The results of the additional survey can be viewed in the press releases under the heading ‘Income, expenditure and consumption of households’.

In October 2023, revenues of the subsector ‘Central Govermnent’  were reported in the amount of BGN 4 501.91 million and expenditures – BGN 4 825.05  million, and for  the subsector ‘Social Security Funds’ the revenues amounted  to BGN 2 506.90 million, and the expenditures are BG 2 448.98 million.

The data of the ‘Central Government’ subsector are formed on the basis of the monthly cash statements of the budget units, as well as estimates of the state enterprises reclassified in the subsector, and the data of the ‘Social Security Funds’ subsector - on the basis of the monthly cash statements of the National Insurance Institute and the National Health Insurance Fund.

The information is published on the basis of Article 3(2) of Directive 2011/85 of the EU.

Detailed data can be found on the NSI website under the heading 'Government Finance Statistics'.

In the third quarter of 2023, the largest increase in Service prices compared to the previous quarter was recorded in Security and investigation activities - by 3.6%, and in Employment activities - by 2.1%. A decrease in prices was registered in Computer programming, consultancy and related activities and in Information service activities - both by 1.1%.

Detailed data can be found on the NSI website under the heading 'Short-term Business Statistics'.

The NSI publishes final data on wholesale sales of consumer goods, retail sales and retail sales premises for 2022.

The non-financial enterprises in Bulgaria realized wholesale sales (incl. VAT and excise taxes) of 82 234 million BGN, of which 63.0% were from durable and other consumer goods and 37.0% - from food, beverages and tobacco products. Compared to the previous year, the volume of wholesale sales increased by 22.6%.

The retail sales (incl. VAT and excise duties) amounted to 65 061 million BGN , with durable and other consumer goods dominating with a share of 64.2%. Compared to 2021, the volume of retail sales increased by 19.1%.

In 2022, there were 162 712 retail sales premises operating in the country. The largest share have Shops and pavilions - 68.6%, followed by: Non-stationary premises for delivery of goods (incl. vending machines) - 15.4%, Warehouses for retail sales - 10.0%, Stalls and markets in the stationary trade network - 4.3 %, Petrol stations and gas stations - 1.7%.

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

According to the final data of the National Statistical Institute for 2022, the receipts from activity of  construction enterprises are in the amount of 21 322 million BGN, which were 13.0% more compared to 2021.

The receipts from new construction and improvements are 19 785 million BGN, and from maintenance and repairs - 1 537 million BGN.

The receipts from building construction are 10 540 million BGN, or 19.7% more than the previous year.

The receipts from civil construction are 10 782 million BGN, or 7.1% more than in 2021.

Detailed data can be found on the NSI website under the heading 'Receipts from activity of construction enterprises by kind of construction'.

Annual reports on their activity for 2022 were submitted at the National Statistical Institute (NSI) by 449 481 non-financial enterprises, which was 8.9% more than 2021. Their number of persons employed calculated in full-time equivalent was 2 188 285 or by 2.8% more than the previous year.

In non-financial enterprises, revenues from the activity amount to 547 674 million BGN, and expenses for the activity in enterprises for 2022 are 503 218 million BGN.

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

Insurance Companies

The National Statistical Institute published final data on the activity of  insurance companies for 2022, with the balance value of assets as of  31.12.2022 being 8 881 million BGN. In the life insurance sector, gross written premiums amount to 3 195 million BGN, and the balance of the technical report is 250 million BGN. In the technical report of General Insurance, the gross accrued written premiums amount to 516 million BGN, and the balance of the technical report is BGN 18 million. In 2022, the insurance companies have reported a positive financial result of their activity for 234 million BGN.

Pension Companies and Pension Funds

According to final data of the NSI in 2022, the balance value of the assets of the pension insurance companies at the end of the year for 543 million BGN. The revenues from the activities of pension companies reach 296 million BGN, and the realized profit amounted to 69 million BGN.

The balance value assets of the supplementary pension insurance funds as of 31.12.2022 is 19 291 million BGN, and the investments reached 17 321 million BGN. The balance value of the assets of the pension payment funds as of 31.12.2022 is 69 million BGN, and the investments reached 28 million BGN.

Specialized Investment Companies

According to the final data of the NSI in 2022, the balance value of the assets at the end of the year of the specialized investment companies is 12 723 million BGN. The foreign assets received (financial instruments and cash of customers) amounted to 7 785 million BGN.

The financial income of the specialized investment enterprises in 2022 amounts to 1 894 million BGN, and the financial result for the year is a profit of 56 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 for 2022, the balance sheet value of their assets as of 31.12.2022 is 1 525 million BGN.

The revenues from regulated activity amount to 921 million BGN, and the profit from economic activity is 25 million BGN.

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

According to final data the foreign direct investments (FDI) in the non-financial sector as of 31.12.2022 amounted to 29 376 million euro at current prices, which is 4.2% more compared to the previous year.

In 2022, the largest volume of the foreign direct investments was made in Industry sector - 12 817 million euro. Next by FDI volume was Service sector (Wholesale and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles; Transport, communication and services; Accommodation and food service activities) - 6 932 million euro.

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

The expenditure on the acquisition of tangible fixed assets in all sectors of the economy amounted in 2022 to 27 522 million BGN at current prices and increased by 19.5% compared to the previous year. The largest volume of investments in tangible fixed assets was in the sector of Industry - 7 140 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 6 937 million BGN invested.

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