Statistical data

In March 2025, the monthly inflation rate, measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI), was 0.2% compared to the previous month, and the annual inflation rate in March 2025, compared to March 2024, was 4.0%.

In March 2025, compared to the previous month, the highest increase was registered in the following groups: ‘Communications’ (+1.3%), ‘Health’ (+0.9%), ‘Miscellaneous goods and services’ (+0.8%), ‘Restaurants and hotels’ (+0.8%) and ‘Food and non-alcoholic beverages’ (+0.6). A decrease in the prices was recorded in the following groups: ‘Recreation and culture’ (-2.7%), ‘Transport’ (-0.7%) and ‘Clothing and footwear’ (-0.6%).

The monthly inflation rate, measured by the Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices (HICP), was 0.3% and the annual inflation rate was 4.0%.

According to the second estimate of Economic Accounts for Agriculture, the final output of the agricultural 'industry' at basic prices in 2024 amounted to 9 718.9 million BGN, which was 7.9% less than in the previous year. The decrease was the result of both a drop in volumes - by 3.2%, and a decline in prices - by 4.9%, compared to 2023.

The value of means of production currently consumed in agriculture amounted to 5 684.7 million BGN, which was 10.4% lower than the previous year. The decrease was due to the drop in the volumes - by 7.6%, and the decrease in prices - by 3.0%.

The gross value added at basic prices produced in agriculture was estimated at 4 034.2 million BGN and was 4.4% lower compared to the previous year.

The net operating surplus/mixed income amounted to 3 393.5 million BGN and decreased by 6.0% on an annual basis.

According to the second estimate of Economic Accounts for Agriculture for 2024, the net entrepreneurial income in agriculture reached 964.3 million BGN, decreasing by 1.1% compared to the previous year.

Detailed data can be found on the NSI website under the heading 'Economic accounts for agriculture'.

In February 2025, 2 191 accommodation establishments - hotels, motels, camping sites, mountain chalets and other establishments for short-term accommodation, with 10 or more bed-places, functioned in the country, with 64.6 thousand rooms and 134.3 thousand bed-places in them. In comparison with the same month of the previous year, the number of accommodation establishments increased by 0.6%, and the bed-places in them - by 4.6%.

The total number of nights spent was 1 158.0 thousand, or 2.0% less in comparison to a year earlier, and the number of arrivals in all accommodation establishments increased by 2.0% and reached 489.7 thousand.

The total revenues from nights spent reached 115.2 million BGN, or 7.7% more compared to the same month of the previous year.

The exports of goods from Bulgaria to third countries decreased by 4.1% compared to the same period of 2024 and amounted to 4 526.3 million BGN, while the imports of goods from third countries increased by 17.2% and added up to 6 840.0 million BGN.

The most notable growth in the exports was recorded in the section ‘Beverages and tobacco’ (105.7%). The most notable fall was reported in the section ‘Animal and vegetable oils, fats and waxes’ (88.7%). The largest growth in the imports of goods from third countries was recorded in the section ‘Miscellaneous manufactured articles’ (50.7%). The most notable fall was reported in the section ‘Crude materials, inedible (except fuel)’ (13.2%). The data are according to the Standard International Trade Classification.

The total value of all exported goods to third countries and the EU amounted to 12 832.9 million BGN in the period January - February 2025, which is a decrease of 1.7% compared to the corresponding period of the previous year, while the total value of all imported goods from third countries and the EU added up to 15 776.5 million BGN and increased by 5.2%.

In January 2025, the exports of goods from Bulgaria to the EU increased by 1.9% compared to January 2024 and amounted to 4 174.5 million BGN, while the imports of goods from the EU decreased by 2.6% and reached 4 416.4 million BGN.

The most notable growth in the exports of goods to the EU compared to the same month of 2024 was recorded in the section ‘Beverages and tobacco’ (41.6%). The most notable fall was reported in the section ‘Mineral fuel, lubricants and related materials’ (25.6%). The largest growth in the imports of goods from the EU was recorded in the section ‘Crude materials, inedible (except fuel)’ 34.6%), while the most notable fall was reported in the section ‘Mineral fuel, lubricants and related materials’ (34.7%). Data are by the Standard International Trade Classification.

In February 2025, the production index in the ‘Construction’ section increased by 0.2% compared to the previous month. An increase was observed in the specialized construction activities - by 1.1%. A decrease was seen in the production of civil engineering - by 0.5%, and in the building construction - by 0.2%. The data are preliminary and seasonally adjusted.

The calendar-adjusted data showed a rise of 7.4% in the construction production compared to the same month of 2024. Civil engineering went up by 9.7%, specialized construction activities - by 7.6%, and construction of buildings - by 5.8%.

The Industrial Production Index decreased by 0.7% in February 2025 compared to the previous month. The data are preliminary and seasonally adjusted.

In February 2025, compared to January 2025, a decrease was seen in the mining and quarrying industry - by 6.3%, and in the manufacturing - by 2.7%, while an increase was registered in the electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply - by 3.5%.

In comparison with February 2024, a decrease of 4.6% was reported in the calendar-adjusted Industrial Production Index.

On an annual basis, a drop of the Industrial Production Index was observed in the manufacturing - by 7.1%, in the mining and quarrying industry - by 1.8%, while an increase was registered in the electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply - by 11.2%.

In February 2025, the turnover in ‘Retail trade, except motor vehicles and motorcycles’ at constant prices decreased by 1.7% compared to the previous month. The data are preliminary and seasonally adjusted.

A decrease was reported in ‘Retail sales of automotive fuel in specialised stores’ - by 2.3%, in ‘Retail sales of non-food products (except fuel)’ - by 1.9%, and in ‘Retail sales of food, beverages and tobacco’ - by 1.7%.

The trade turnover rose by 2.4% compared to the same month of 2024 according to the calendar-adjusted data.

In February 2025, compared to the same month of 2024, a growth of the turnover was registered in ‘Retail sales of automotive fuel in specialised stores’ - by 11.5%, and ‘Retail sales of non-food products (except fuel)’ - by 3.7%. A decrease was reported in ‘Retail sales of food, beverages and tobacco’ - by 2.1%.

In January 2025, the total production index in Services of the business economy increased by 3.0% compared to the previous month. The data are preliminary and seasonally adjusted.

Compared to January 2024, a rise of 7.6% was registered in the calendar-adjusted index according to preliminary data.

In the fourth quarter of 2024:

• Тhe Gross Domestic Product (GDP) grew by 3.4% compared to the fourth quarter of 2023.
• 68.4% of GDP were spent on individual consumption.
• The relative share of gross fixed capital formation in GDP was 22.1%.
• The employment rate for the population aged 15 years and over was 53.2%.
• The unemployment rate was 3.8% (compared to 4.2% in the fourth quarter of 2023), 4.4% for men and 3.2% for women, respectively.
• Compared to the fourth quarter of 2023, the total hourly labour cost rose by 12.8% (preliminary data).
• Compared to the fourth quarter of 2023, housing prices increased by 18.3%.

In January 2025, the total consumer confidence indicator drops by 7.3 percentage points compared to October 2024.