Statistical data

Expenditure on tourist trips of persons 15 years and over in 2023 was estimated at 3 406.0 million BGN and increased by 24.2% in comparison to 2022. Those made in the country amount to 2 036.2 million BGN, and abroad - BGN 1 369.8 million BGN.

Expenditure for private trips represents 96.3% (including tourist packages) and increased by 26.3% compared to 2022, while those for professional travel are 3.7% of all expenses and decreased by 13.5%.

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

In 2022, according to the final data on emissions into the atmosphere, there is an increase in emissions of sulphur and nitrogen oxides, non-methane volatile hydrocarbons, carbon dioxide and a decrease in emissions of methane and carbon monoxide compared to 2021. There is no change in emissions of nitrogen dioxide and ammonia.

Emissions of sulphur oxides in 2022 are 73 thousand tons, of nitrogen oxides - 96 thousand tons, and of non-methane volatile hydrocarbons - 76 thousand tons.

Combustion processes are the main contributors to emissions of sulphur oxides (82%) and carbon dioxide (67%). Production processes are the predominant contributor to non-methane volatile hydrocarbon emissions (51%). The main contributor to the emissions of ammonia (97%), carbon monoxide (85%), nitrous oxide (95%), methane (78%), non-methane volatile organic compounds (47%) and nitrogen oxides (62%) is the group ‘Other sources’, which includes agriculture, transport, household fuel combustion, waste and wastewater treatment activities and services.

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

In February 2024, the number of trips of Bulgarian residents abroad was 499.0 thousand, or 10.7% above the registered in February 2023.

The trips with other purposes (as a guest, education and visiting cultural and sports events) composed the greatest share of the total number of trips of Bulgarian residents abroad - 49.4%, followed by those with holiday and recreation purposes - 26.6%, and with professional purpose - 23.0%.

The number of visits of non-residents to Bulgaria was 698.9 thousand, or 15.6% more in comparison with the same month of the previous year. The predominant share of the visits was with other purposes - 47.2%, followed by trips with holiday and recreation purposes - 39.1%, and with professional purpose - 13.7%.

Transit passes through the country were 31.5% (220.0 thousand) of all visits of non-residents to Bulgaria.

In 2023, Luxembourg and Ireland recorded the highest level of GDP per capita in the EU, at 140% and 112% above the EU average. Bulgaria was the Member State with the lowest GDP per capita, at 36% below the EU average.

The total export price index during the fourth quarter of 2023 is 89.6%, which is a 38.3 percentage points decrease in the index compared to the same period of the previous year.

The total export price index in 2023 is 92.9%, which is a 33.0 percentage points decrease in the index compared to the previous year.

The total import price index for the reporting period is 95.9%, which is a 23.2 percentage points decrease in the index compared to the same period of the previous year.

The total import price index in 2023 is 96.2%, which is a 23.1 percentage points decrease in the index compared to the previous year.

Preliminary data on export and import price indices for the fourth quarter of 2023 by sectors of the Standard International Trade Classification (SITC, rev. 4) are published on the NSI website under the heading heading ‘Exports and Imports price indices’.

The housing prices increased by 1.2% in the fourth quarter of 2023 compared to the previous quarter. The highest increase was recorded in Stara Zagora (+8.2%), followed by Burgas (+6.3%) and Varna (+1.7%). A decrease was registered in Plovdiv (-0.5%) and Sofia (-0.1%).

In the fourth quarter of 2023, compared to the fourth quarter of 2022, housing prices rose by 10.1%.

Detailed data are published on the NSI website under the heading 'Housing price statistics'.

In the fourth quarter of 2023, compared to the fourth quarter of 2022, the total hourly labour cost rose by 11.7% (preliminary data). The total hourly labour cost increased by 10.6% in industry, by 10.4% in services and by 19.5% in construction.

The highest annual growth in total labour costs was recorded in ‘Public administration and defence; compulsory social security’ - by 19.8%, ‘Construction’ - by 19.5%, and ‘Education’ - by 17.0%.

According to the results of the Labour Force Survey, in 2023:

- The activity rate of the population aged 15 - 64 was 73.9%, increasing by 0.2 percentage points in comparison with 2022.

- The employment rate of the population aged 15 - 64 was 70.7%.

- The unemployment rate was 4.3%, or 0.2 percentage points higher in comparison with 2022.

The Labour Force Survey is a sample statistical survey. It is carried out over a sample of non-institutional households. Quarterly, about 19.6 thousand households, randomly selected, are observed through a face-to-face interview.

In 2023, the goods carried by road freight transport were over 165 million tonnes, which was 3.0% more compared to 2022. An increase of 4.4% was registered for domestic transport, while for international transport, a decrease by 3.0% was observed.

The transport performance, measured in tonne-kilometers, decreased by 5.7% in comparison with the previous year, which is due to an 11.8% drop in international transport. The domestic transport recorded a 12.2% rise.

Detailed data can be found on the NSI website under the heading 'Transport', Road freight transport.

In February 2024, the monthly inflation rate, measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI), was 0.3% compared to the previous month, and the annual inflation rate in February 2024 compared to February 2023 was 3.3%.

The highest increase was registered for Transport (+1.5%), Restaurants and hotels (+0.9%), Alcoholic beverages and tobacco (+0.8%) and Food and non-alcoholic beverages (+0.6%). The decrease was recorded in the prices for Clothing and footwear (-2.5%), Furnishings, household equipment and routine maintenance of the house (-0.6%) and Housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels (-0.1%).

The monthly inflation rate, measured by the Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices (HICP), was 0.3% and the annual inflation rate was 3.5%.