Press releases

In the third quarter of 2023, the largest increase in Service prices compared to the previous quarter was recorded in Security and investigation activities - by 3.6%, and in Employment activities - by 2.1%. A decrease in prices was registered in Computer programming, consultancy and related activities and in Information service activities - both by 1.1%.

Detailed data can be found on the NSI website under the heading 'Short-term Business Statistics'.

The Total Producer Price Index in Industry decreased by 0.9% in October 2023 compared to the previous month. Lower prices were registered in the mining and quarrying industry by 4.3%, and in the manufacturing industry by 1.2%. The prices went up in the electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply by 0.3%. 

The Producer Price Index on the Domestic Market decreased by 0.6% in October compared to September 2023. The domestic prices went down in the mining and quarrying industry by 2.4%, and in the manufacturing industry by 1.0%. The prices increased in the electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply by 0.1%.

The Total Producer Price Index fell by 20.1% in October 2023 compared to the same month in 2022. There was a considerable decrease in prices in the electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply by 48.8%, in the mining and quarrying industry by 4.9%, and in the manufacturing industry by 1.7%.

The Producer Price Index on the Domestic Market decreased by 25.9% compared to October 2022. Lower prices were reported in the electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply - by 47.9%, in the mining and quarrying industry - by 4.5%, and in the manufacturing industry by 1.5%.

National Statistical Institute publishes final 2022 data on the number of employees and average annual wages and salaries. In 2022 the number of employees under labour contract was 2 278 832 and increased by 29.9 thousands or 1.3% compared to 2021. The average annual wages and salaries of the employees under labour contract was 21 242 BGN, by 13.4% higher compared to 2021.

Detailed data can be found on the NSI website under the heading 'Annual statistics on employment and labour cost'.

The expenditure on the acquisition of tangible fixed assets in all sectors of the economy amounted in 2022 to 27 522 million BGN at current prices and increased by 19.5% compared to the previous year. The largest volume of investments in tangible fixed assets was in the sector of Industry - 7 140 million BGN, followed by the Service sector (Wholesale and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles; Transport, communication and services; Accommodation and food service activities) with 6 937 million BGN invested.

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

According to final data the foreign direct investments (FDI) in the non-financial sector as of 31.12.2022 amounted to 29 376 million euro at current prices, which is 4.2% more compared to the previous year.

In 2022, the largest volume of the foreign direct investments was made in Industry sector - 12 817 million euro. Next by FDI volume was Service sector (Wholesale and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles; Transport, communication and services; Accommodation and food service activities) - 6 932 million euro.

Detailed data can be found on the NSI website under the heading 'Foreign direct investments'.

Insurance Companies

The National Statistical Institute published final data on the activity of  insurance companies for 2022, with the balance value of assets as of  31.12.2022 being 8 881 million BGN. In the life insurance sector, gross written premiums amount to 3 195 million BGN, and the balance of the technical report is 250 million BGN. In the technical report of General Insurance, the gross accrued written premiums amount to 516 million BGN, and the balance of the technical report is BGN 18 million. In 2022, the insurance companies have reported a positive financial result of their activity for 234 million BGN.

Pension Companies and Pension Funds

According to final data of the NSI in 2022, the balance value of the assets of the pension insurance companies at the end of the year for 543 million BGN. The revenues from the activities of pension companies reach 296 million BGN, and the realized profit amounted to 69 million BGN.

The balance value assets of the supplementary pension insurance funds as of 31.12.2022 is 19 291 million BGN, and the investments reached 17 321 million BGN. The balance value of the assets of the pension payment funds as of 31.12.2022 is 69 million BGN, and the investments reached 28 million BGN.

Specialized Investment Companies

According to the final data of the NSI in 2022, the balance value of the assets at the end of the year of the specialized investment companies is 12 723 million BGN. The foreign assets received (financial instruments and cash of customers) amounted to 7 785 million BGN.

The financial income of the specialized investment enterprises in 2022 amounts to 1 894 million BGN, and the financial result for the year is a profit of 56 million BGN.

Associations and Foundations

According to the final data of the NSI for the associations and foundations that submitted an annual report on their activities for 2022, the balance sheet value of their assets as of 31.12.2022 is 1 525 million BGN.

The revenues from regulated activity amount to 921 million BGN, and the profit from economic activity is 25 million BGN.

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

Annual reports on their activity for 2022 were submitted at the National Statistical Institute (NSI) by 449 481 non-financial enterprises, which was 8.9% more than 2021. Their number of persons employed calculated in full-time equivalent was 2 188 285 or by 2.8% more than the previous year.

In non-financial enterprises, revenues from the activity amount to 547 674 million BGN, and expenses for the activity in enterprises for 2022 are 503 218 million BGN.

Detailed data can be found on the NSI website under the heading 'Non-financial Enterprises'.

According to the final data of the National Statistical Institute for 2022, the receipts from activity of  construction enterprises are in the amount of 21 322 million BGN, which were 13.0% more compared to 2021.

The receipts from new construction and improvements are 19 785 million BGN, and from maintenance and repairs - 1 537 million BGN.

The receipts from building construction are 10 540 million BGN, or 19.7% more than the previous year.

The receipts from civil construction are 10 782 million BGN, or 7.1% more than in 2021.

Detailed data can be found on the NSI website under the heading 'Receipts from activity of construction enterprises by kind of construction'.

The NSI publishes final data on wholesale sales of consumer goods, retail sales and retail sales premises for 2022.

The non-financial enterprises in Bulgaria realized wholesale sales (incl. VAT and excise taxes) of 82 234 million BGN, of which 63.0% were from durable and other consumer goods and 37.0% - from food, beverages and tobacco products. Compared to the previous year, the volume of wholesale sales increased by 22.6%.

The retail sales (incl. VAT and excise duties) amounted to 65 061 million BGN , with durable and other consumer goods dominating with a share of 64.2%. Compared to 2021, the volume of retail sales increased by 19.1%.

In 2022, there were 162 712 retail sales premises operating in the country. The largest share have Shops and pavilions - 68.6%, followed by: Non-stationary premises for delivery of goods (incl. vending machines) - 15.4%, Warehouses for retail sales - 10.0%, Stalls and markets in the stationary trade network - 4.3 %, Petrol stations and gas stations - 1.7%.

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

In November 2023, the total business climate indicator remains approximately to its October level. An increase of the indicator is observed in the construction and service sector, while in the industry, a decrease is observed. Only in the retail trade, the indicator preserves its level from the previous month.

The main obstacles for business development in the sectors are connected with the uncertain economic environment, shortage of labour, competition in the branch and costs of materials.