The number of employees under labour contract at the end of September 2023 decreased by 1.5% compared to the end of June 2023 and reached 2.30 million according to the preliminary data of the National Statistical Institute (NSI). The highest decrease was observed in economic activities: ‘Accommodation and food service activities’ - by 15.8%, ‘Administrative and support service activities’ - by 2.7%, and ‘Manufacturing’ - by 1.4%. The highest increase of the number of employees by 1.1% was recorded in economic activity ‘Human health and social work activities’.
In the third quarter of 2023, in comparison with the second quarter of 2023, the average monthly wages and salaries increased by 2.2% and reached 2 000 BGN. The highest increase in wages and salaries was reported in ‘Public administration and defence; compulsory social security’ - by 13.4%, ‘Education’ - by 12.2%, and in ‘Agriculture, forestry and fishing’ - by 7.5%.
