According to the preliminary data the Industrial Production Index, seasonally adjusted, decreased by 2.3% in December 2018 as compared to November 2018. In December 2018 the working day adjusted Industrial Production Index fall by 3.8% in comparison with the same month of 2017.
In January 2019, the total consumer confidence indicator increases by 1.9 percentage points compared to its October 2018 level, as for the urban population the increase is 1.0 percentage point and for the rural population - 2.9 percentage points.
In the fourth quarter of 2018, the municipal authorities issued building permits for construction of 1 477 residential buildings with 11 682 dwellings, of 33 administrative buildings/offices and 1 319 other buildings. The construction of 935 residential buildings with 5 881 dwellings, of 11 administrative buildings/offices and 624 other buildings was started.
In November 2018 compared to October 2018 an increase is reported for the production of electricity - by 17.1%. At the same time a decrease is reported for the production of solid fuels - by 8.6%, unleaded motor gasoline - by 6.5%, and transport diesel - by 4.4%. No change for the production of liquefied petroleum gases and natural gas.
In November 2018 compared to October 2018 an increase is reported for the deliveries of natural gas - by 36.3% and electricity - by 14.7%. At the same time a decrease is reported for the deliveries of solid fuels - by 8.3%, liquefied petroleum gases - by 15.4%, unleaded motor gasoline - by 54.2%, and transport diesel - by 11.8%.
Total Producer Price Index in December 2018 decreased with 0.7% compared to the previous month; compared to the same month of 2017 the prices rose by 2.7%. Producer Price Index on Domestic Market in December 2018 fell by 0.4% compared to the previous month; compared to the same month of 2017 the domestic prices grew by 2.9%.
In January 2019, the total business climate indicator increases by 1.9 percentage points in comparison with December 2018 which is due to the improved business climate in industry, construction and service sector.
In December 2018, the number of the trips of Bulgarian residents abroad was 478.4 thousand or by 4.2% above the registered in December 2017. The trips with other purposes (as a guest, education and visit the cultural and sport events) in December 2018 composed the greatest share of the total number of trips of Bulgarian residents abroad - 49.4%, followed by the trips with holiday and recreation purpose - 27.6%, and with professional purpose - 23.0%
In December 2018, the number of arrivals of visitors from abroad to Bulgaria was 619.9 thousand or by 4.0% more in comparison with December 2017. In December 2018, the predominant share of the visits with other purposes was 46.3%, followed by trips with holiday and recreation purpose - 35.4%, and with professional purpose - 18.3%.
The consumer price index in December 2018 compared to November 2018 was 100.0%, i.e. the monthly inflation was 0.0%.
In the period January - October 2018 the exports of goods from Bulgaria to the EU increased by 9.7% compared to the same period of 2017 and amounted to 31 613.8 Million BGN while the imports of goods grew by 7.6% and added up to 33 267.5 Million BGN.
In October 2018 the exports of goods to the EU increased by 7.0% compared to the corresponding month of the previous year and amounted to 3 466.3 Million BGN while the imports of goods grew by 3.1% and added up to 3 673.2 Million BGN.
In the period January - November 2018 the exports of goods from Bulgaria to third countries decreased by 12.3% compared to the same period of 2017 and amounted to 16 062.0 Million BGN while the imports of goods from third countries increased by 9.4% and added up to 21 190.3 Million BGN.
In the period January - November 2018 the total value of all exported goods to third countries and EU amounted to 51 118.7 Million BGN, which is 1.5% more than the same period of the previous year, while the total value of all imported goods from third countries and EU added up to 58 059.2 Million BGN and grew by 7.7%.