According to the preliminary data of the National Statistical Institute (NSI) the number of employees under labour contract at the end of December 2009 decreased by 3.6% as compared to the end of September 2009 and reached to 2.25 millions. In fourth quarter of 2009 in comparison with the third quarter of 2009 the average monthly wages and salaries increased by 3.9% getting 606 levs.
According to the preliminary data of the National Statistical Institute, the construction production in December 2009 was 13.6% below the level of the previous month. A decrease of 17.9% was registered in the production of building construction but in the civil engineering production it was 6.5%.
The preliminary data showed that the Industrial Production Index decreased by 12.1% in December 2009 as compared to December 2008, as compared to the previous month the production decreased by 0.7%. Industrial Turnover Index decreased by 9.8% compared to December 2008, as compared to the previous month the turnover increased by 5.8%.
In January 2010 the total consumer confidence indicator decreases by 0.8 percentage points in comparison with October 2009, which is mostly due to the reduced confidence of urban inhabitants. The survey from January registers an increase of pessimism in the consumers’ assessments and expectations in comparison with the opinions expressed 3 months ago.
Producer Price Index on Domestic Market in December 2009 rose 0.9% compared to the previous month, while compared to the same month of 2008 the domestic prices fell by 0.7%. Total Producer Price Index in Industry in December 2009 increased by 1.2% compared to the previous month; compared to the same month of 2008 the prices increased by 0.9%.
In January 2010 the total business climate indicator increases by 3.1 percentage points in comparison with the previous month. The improvement is due to the more optimistic opinions of the entrepreneurs from the sectors of construction and services.
In December 2009, the number of the trips of Bulgarian residents in abroad was 297.9 thousand, which was 24.2% less than the number of the trips in December 2008. In December 2009, the number of arrivals of visitors from abroad to Bulgaria was 357.1 thousand or 7.3% less than the number of trips in the same month of 2008.
The goods carried by the railway transport in December 2009 are by 1.8 % less than in the previous month, while as to the same month of 2008 there is a decrease by 18.0 %. In the passenger traffic, the total number of passengers carried increases by 0.5 compared to the previous month and in comparison with December 2008 there is a decrease - by 1.1%.
According to the preliminary data of the National Statistical Institute, the construction production in November 2009 was 21.9% less compared to the same month of the previous year.
The preliminary data showed that the Industrial Production Index decreased by 10.8% in November 2009 as compared to November 2008, as compared to the previous month the production increased by 1.2%. Industrial Turnover Index decreased by 13.2% compared to November 2008, as compared to the previous month the turnover increased by 0.7%.