Press releases

In the period January - August 2018 the exports of goods from Bulgaria to third countries decreased by 22.9% compared to the same period of 2017 and amounted to 10 167.6 Million BGN while the imports of goods from third countries increased by 4.6% and added up to 14 622.5 Million BGN.

In the period January - August 2018 the total value of all exported goods (both for third countries and EU) amounted to 35 078.4 Million BGN, which is 1.5% less than the same period of the previous year, while the total value of all imported goods added up to 40 993.4 Million BGN and grew by 7.2%.

According to the preliminary data, in August 2018 the index of production in section ‘Construction’ calculated on the base of seasonally adjusted data was 0.6% below the level of the previous month. In August 2018 the working day adjusted index of production in construction decreased by 1.1% in comparison with the same month of 2017.

According to the preliminary seasonally adjusted data in August 2018 the turnover in ‘Retail trade, except of motor vehicles and motorcycles’ at constant prices increased by 0.5% compared to the previous month.

According to the preliminary data the Industrial Production Index, seasonally adjusted, increased by 0.8% in August 2018 as compared to July 2018. In August 2018 the working day adjusted Industrial Production Index rose by 2.3% in comparison with the same month of 2017.

The key indicators are elaborated in accordance with the euro area, European Union and individual Member States indicators system. The analytical document is quarterly updated. Source of the data are the NSI  statistical surveys and BNB data.

In July 2018 compared to June 2018 an increase is reported for the production of liquefied petroleum gases - by 25.0%, unleaded motor gasoline - by 7.6%, transport diesel - by 9.6% and electricity - by 6.3%. At the same time a decrease is reported for the production of solid fuels - by 11.8%.

In July 2018 compared to June 2018 an increase is reported for the deliveries of unleaded motor gasoline - by 7.1%, transport diesel - by 7.0% and electricity - by 4.7%. At the same time a decrease is reported for the deliveries of solid fuels - by 10.4%, liquefied petroleum gases - by 11.6% and natural gas - by 9.7%.

In August 2018, the number of the trips of Bulgarian residents abroad was 736.7 thousand or by 8.3% above the registered in August 2017. The trips with holiday and recreation purpose in August 2018 composed the greatest share of the total number of trips of Bulgarian residents abroad - 43.4%, followed by the trips with other purposes (as a guest, education and visit the cultural and sport events) - 42.9%, and with professional purpose - 13.7%.

In August 2018, the number of arrivals of visitors from abroad to Bulgaria was 2 240.2 thousand or by 5.4% more in comparison with August 2017. In August 2018, the predominant share of the visits with holiday and recreation purpose was 54.7%, followed by trips with other purposes - 38.0%, and with professional purpose - 7.3%.

Total Producer Price Index in August 2018 decreases with 0.1% compared to the previous month; compared to the same month of 2017 the prices rose by 3.8%. Producer Price Index on Domestic Market in August 2018 increased by 0.1% compared to the previous month; compared to the same month of 2017 the domestic prices grew by 3.1%.

In September 2018, the total business climate indicator decreases by 1.5 percentage points in comparison with August, which is due to the more unfavourable business climate in construction and service sector.

In 2016, Bulgaria spent 16 455.2 Million BGN for social protection which represented around 17.5% of the gross domestic product. In 2016, the total receipts recorded in ESSPROS for financing the social protection system amounted to 16 664.7 million BGN, from which 8 153.4 million BGN were funds from the state budget, 8 233.03 million BGN were funds from social protection contributions and 278.3 million BGN were classified as other receipts.