The number of employees under labour contract at the end of June 2023 increased by 25.2 thousand, or 1.1%, as compared to the end of March 2023 and reached 2.33 million according to the preliminary data of the National Statistical Institute (NSI). The highest increase was observed in economic activities: ‘Accommodation and food service activities’ - by 29.1%, ‘Agriculture, forestry and fishing’- by 3.8% and ‘Real estate activities’ - by 1.8%. The highest decrease of the number of employees by 1.6% was recorded in economic activity ‘Education’.
In the second quarter of 2023, in comparison with the first quarter of 2023, the average monthly wages and salaries increased by 4.0% and reached 1 957 BGN. The highest increase in wages and salaries was reported in ‘Construction’ - by 8.5%, ‘Accommodation and food service activities’ - by 8.3% and in ‘Electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply’ - by 7.5%.