In May 2015 the total business climate indicator increases by 3.1 percentage points compared to its April level which is due to the improved managers’ opinions in construction, retail trade and service sector.
In April 2015, the number of the trips of Bulgarian residents abroad was 369.6 thousand or by 14.2% above the registered in April 2014. The trips with other purposes (as a guest, education and visit the cultural and sport events) in April 2015 composed the greatest share of the total number of trips of Bulgarian residents abroad - 41.8%, followed by the trips with holiday and recreation purposes - 30.3%, and with professional purpose - 27.9%.
In April 2015, the number of arrivals of visitors from abroad to Bulgaria was 502.2 thousands or by 3.7% above the level of April 2014. An increase was registered in the trips with other purposes and with professional purpose by 10.8% and 5.3% respectively, while the trips with holiday and recreation purpose decreased by 5.9%.
This News Release is the first on regional GDP based on the ESA 2010 methodology and data transmission programme. All the methodological changes that were implemented at national level as of September 2014 are applied at the regional level as well. The regional GDP release will be accelerated from now on by one year.
In 2013, regional GDP per capita, expressed in terms of purchasing power standards, ranged from 27% of the EU28 average in the French overseas department of Mayotte, to 325% of the average in Inner London in the United Kingdom.
In the first quarter of 2015, 578.8 thousand Bulgarian residents made tourist trips. The majority (83.5%) of them travelled only within the country, 13.8% - only abroad and 2.7% - both in the country and abroad. Compared to the same quarter of 2014 the total number of the travelled persons aged 15 and over decreased by 15.0%, as a reduction was observed in the number of the Bulgarian residents travelled in the country - by 15.9%, as well as in the number of persons travelled abroad by 9.1%.
As of 31.12.2014 in Bulgaria were functioned the followed cultured institutions: 204 museums with museum collection of 7 600 thousand units; 72 theatres, performed 14 694 performances and visited by 2 302 thousand viewers; 59 music formations; 48 libraries with library collection over 200 thousand library units, as well as 49 cinemas with 196 screens.
According to the preliminary data for the first quarter of 2015 the total turnover index in section ‘Transportation, storage and post’, calculated on the basis of seasonally adjusted data increased by 5.2% as compared to the fourth quarter of 2014. In section ‘Information and communication’ the turnover index grew by 2.8%.
The total income average per household member during the first quarter of 2015 is 1 187 BGN and increases by 0.8% compared to the same quarter of 2014.
The total expenditure per household member during the first quarter of 2015 is 1 099 BGN and increases by 6.8% in comparison with the same quarter of 2014.
The consumption of main food products average per household member decreases during the first quarter of 2015 compared to the same quarter of 2014.
Life expectancy at birth of the Bulgarian population calculated for the period 2012 - 2014 is 74.7 years. Compared to the previous period (2011 - 2013) it increased by 0.2 years.
Life expectancy at birth for male population is 71.2 years, while for female it is 7.1 years higher - 78.3 years.
In the first quarter of 2015 the unemployment rate was 10.6%, and the employment rate of population aged 20 - 64 was 65.0%.
According to the preliminary data of the National Statistical Institute at the end of March 2015 the number of employees under labour contract increased by 1.2% as compared to the end of December 2014 and reached 2.23 millions.
In the first quarter of 2015 in comparison with the fourth quarter of 2014 the average monthly wages and salaries increased by 1.4% getting 859 BGN.