According to the preliminary data in September 2019 the Industrial Production Index, seasonally adjusted, increased by 0.3% as compared to August 2019. In September 2019 the working day adjusted Industrial Production Index decreased by 0.1% in comparison with the same month of 2018.
In October 2019, the total consumer confidence indicator increases by 1.1 percentage points in comparison with July, as for the urban population the increase is 1.0 percentage point and for the rural population - 1.6 percentage points.
According to preliminary data of the National Statistical Institute in the third quarter of 2019 the number of newly built residential buildings was 740 and the newly built dwellings in them were 2 892. Compared to the third quarter of 2018 the buildings were by 280 more (or by 60.9%) and the newly built dwellings in them increased by 948 or by 48.8%.
In the third quarter of 2019, the municipal authorities issued building permits for construction of 1 630 residential buildings with 9 018 dwellings, of 23 administrative buildings/offices and 1 188 other buildings. The construction of 1 156 residential buildings with 7 021 dwellings, of 13 administrative buildings/offices and 666 other buildings was started.
In 2018, the total amount of expenditure on research and development activity (R&D) was 827.6 million BGN, which was 8.9% more than the previous year.
In August 2019 compared to July 2019 an increase is reported for the production of solid fuels - by 5.0%, transport diesel - by 1.5% and electricity - by 2.7%. During the same period, a decrease is reported for the production of liquefied petroleum gases - by 8.3%. No change for the production of unleaded motor gasoline and natural gas.
In August 2019 compared to July 2019 an increase is reported for the deliveries of solid fuels - by 3.9%. A decrease is reported for the deliveries of liquefied petroleum gases - by 4.4%, unleaded motor gasoline - by 1.9%, transport diesel - by 1.9%, natural gas - by 17.5% and electricity - by 0.2%.
Total Producer Price Index in September 2019 increased by 0.5% compared to the previous month; compared to the same month of 2018 the prices rose by 3.7%. Producer Price Index on Domestic Market in September 2019 rose by 0.2% compared to the previous month; compared to the same month of 2018 the domestic prices grew by 4.5%.
In October 2019, the total business climate indicator decreases by 1.4 percentage points compared to the previous month as a result of the more unfavourable conjuncture in industry, construction and retail trade.
In September 2019, the number of the trips of Bulgarian residents abroad was 653.6 thousand or by 3.2% above the registered in September 2018. The trips with other purposes (as a guest, education and visit the cultural and sport events) in September 2019 composed the greatest share of the total number of trips of Bulgarian residents abroad - 43.9%, followed by those with holiday and recreation purposes - 35.8%, and with professional purpose - 20.3%.
In September 2019, the number of arrivals of visitors from abroad to Bulgaria was 1 286.4 thousand or by 2.9% less in comparison with September 2018. In September 2019, the predominant share of the visits with holiday and recreation purpose was 46.6%, followed by trips with other purposes - 39.1%, and with professional purpose - 14.3%.
In 2018, the government deficit and debt of the EU-28 decreased compared to 2017. In the EU-28 the government deficit to GDP ratio fell from 1.0% in 2017 to 0.7% in 2018. In the EU-28 the government debt to GDP ratio declined from 82.1% at the end of 2017 to 80.4% at the end of 2018.