Press releases

In the first quarter of 2018, the municipal authorities issued building permits for construction of 1 162 residential buildings with 6 247 dwellings, of 26 administrative buildings/offices and 1 026 other buildings. The construction of 723 residential buildings with 4 157 dwellings, of 18 administrative buildings/offices and 467 other buildings was started.

In 2017, the average monthly poverty line for the country is 351.08 BGN per person. The number of persons who are below this line is 1 665.3 thousand representing 23.4% of the population.

In February 2018 compared to January 2018 a decrease is reported for the production of solid fuels - by 21.8%, unleaded motor gasoline - by 19.4%, transport diesel - by 31.3%, and electricity - by 6.1%. No change for the production of liquefied petroleum gases.

In February 2018 compared to January 2018 an increase is reported for the deliveries of liquefied petroleum gases - by 6.1%, unleaded motor gasoline - by 9.1%, and transport diesel - by 18.5%. At the same time a decrease is reported for the deliveries of solid fuels - by 20.2%, natural gas - by 9.5%, and electricity - by 11.7%.

Total Producer Price Index in March 2018 remains unchanged compared to the previous month; compared to the same month of 2017 the prices rose by 3.0%. Producer Price Index on Domestic Market in March 2018 increased by 0.1% compared to the previous month; compared to the same month of 2017 the domestic prices grew by 4.8%.

In April 2018, the total business climate indicator increases by 2.8 percentage points in comparison with the previous month as a growth of the indicator is registered in all observed sectors - industry, construction, retail trade and services.

In March 2018, the number of the trips of Bulgarian residents abroad was 461.9 thousand or by 5.6% above the registered in March 2017. The trips with other purposes (as a guest, education and visit the cultural and sport events) in March 2018 composed the greatest share of the total number of trips of Bulgarian residents abroad - 44.3%, followed by the trips with professional purpose - 30.3%, and with holiday and recreation purpose - 25.4%.

In March 2018, the number of arrivals of visitors from abroad to Bulgaria was 524.3 thousand or by 10.5% more in comparison with March 2017. In March 2018, the predominant share of the visits with other purposes was 40.4%, followed by trips with holiday and recreation purpose - 39.2%, and with professional purpose - 20.4%.

The number of detached crèches and groups in kindergartens functioning in the country as of 31.12.2017 was 837 with 32 970 places in them.

The number of children accommodated in crèches at the end of the year was 32 429. 16 738 of them were boys, and 15 691 - girls.

The total number of places in crèches per 100 children aged up to 3 years as of 31.12.2017 was 16.9 and the coverage of children brought up in crèches - 16.6 per 100 children aged up to 3 years.

The main results from the National Statistical Institute annual comprehensive surveys characterizing the activity of educational institutions are as follows:

• In the 2017/2018 academic year in kindergartens are enrolled 220.9 thousand children or with 1.6% less in comparison with the previous year.
• In 2017, upper-secondary graduates in general and vocational schools are respectively 26.6 thousand and 21.7 thousand students.
• Enrolled in the varying degrees of higher education in 2017/2018 academic year are 236.3 thousand.
• As of 31.12.2017 for acquiring educational and scientific degree ‘Doctor’ in the country are trained 6 564 persons, of which 529 foreign citizens.

The average price per one decar agricultural land reached BGN 872 in 2017, which was 14.6% higher than in 2016. The average rent price per one decar hired/leased agricultural land reached BGN 46 and was 4.5% higher than in 2016.

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 1.6% 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.