In 2017, the total amount of expenditure on research and development activity (R&D) was 760.2 million BGN, which was 3.5% more than the previous year.
In August 2018 compared to July 2018 an increase is reported for the production of solid fuels - by 0.9%, transport diesel - by 2.4% and electricity - by 4.8%. At the same time a decrease is reported for the production of unleaded motor gasoline - by 13.0%. No change for the production of liquefied petroleum gases.
In August 2018 compared to July 2018 an increase is reported for the deliveries of solid fuels - by 0.3%, liquefied petroleum gases - by 23.7%, unleaded motor gasoline - by 8.9%, transport diesel - by 0.9% and electricity - by 1.9%. At the same time a decrease is reported for the deliveries of and natural gas - by 5.4%.
Total Producer Price Index in September 2018 increased with 0.3% compared to the previous month; compared to the same month of 2017 the prices rose by 3.7%. Producer Price Index on Domestic Market in September 2018 increased by 0.3% compared to the previous month; compared to the same month of 2017 the domestic prices grew by 3.1%.
In September 2018, the number of the trips of Bulgarian residents abroad was 633.4 thousand or by 11.0% above the registered in September 2017. The trips with other purposes (as a guest, education and visit the cultural and sport events) in September 2018 composed the greatest share of the total number of trips of Bulgarian residents abroad - 44.5%, followed by the trips with holiday and recreation purpose - 34.9%, and with professional purpose - 20.6%.
In September 2018, the number of arrivals of visitors from abroad to Bulgaria was 1 324.2 thousand or by 4.2% more in comparison with September 2017. In September 2018, the predominant share of the visits with holiday and recreation purpose was 46.6%, followed by trips with other purposes - 39.2%, and with professional purpose - 14.2%.
In October 2018, the total business climate indicator decreases by 1.9 percentage points compared to the previous month as a result of the more unfavourable conjuncture in the industry, retail trade and service sector.
In 2017, the government deficit and debt of the EU-28 decreased in relative terms compared with 2016. In the EU-28 the government deficit to GDP ratio fell from 1.7% in 2016 to 1.0% in 2017. In the EU-28 the government debt to GDP ratio declined from 83.3% at the end of 2016 to 81.6% at the end of 2017.
According to final data of the National Statistical Institute the General Government Institutional Sector reported in 2017 a surplus of 1 145 million BGN or 1.1% of GDP.
The Government Debt of Bulgaria for 2017 is 25 908 million BGN or 25.6% of GDP.
The consumer price index in September 2018 compared to August 2018 was 100.3%, i.e. the monthly inflation was 0.3%.
In August 2018, 3 229 accommodation establishments - hotels, motels, camping sites, mountain chalets and other establishments for short-term accommodation with more than 10 bed-places were functioned in the country. The total number of the rooms in them was 137.7 thousand and the bed-places were 320.7 thousand. In comparison with August 2017, the total number of accommodation establishments (functioned during the period) increased by 2.7% and the bed-places in them - by 2.4%.
The total number of the nights spent in all accommodation establishments registered in August 2018 was 6 080.4 thousand, or by 2.3% more in comparison with the same month of the previous year.
The total revenues from nights spent in August 2018 reached 348.0 million BGN or by 7.5% more compared to August 2017.
In the period January - July 2018 exports of goods from Bulgaria to the EU increased by 10.8% compared to the same period of 2017 and amounted to 21 610.4 Million BGN while the imports of goods grew by 11.0% and added up to 23 398.5 Million BGN.
In July 2018 the exports of goods to the EU increased by 11.8% compared to the corresponding month of the previous year and amounted to 3 505.9 Million BGN while the imports of goods grew by 18.7% and added up to 3 572.2 Million BGN.