Press releases

The exports of goods from Bulgaria to third countries decreased by 5.1% compared to 2023 and amounted to 30 114.9 million BGN, while the imports of goods from third countries increased by 6.9% and added up to 41 603.0 million BGN.

The most notable growth in the exports was recorded in the section ‘Chemical and related products n.e.c.’ (10.1%). The most notable fall was reported in the section ‘Animal and vegetable oils, fats and waxes’ (36.5%). The largest growth in the imports of goods from third countries was recorded in the section ‘Miscellaneous manufactured articles’ (24.5%). The most notable fall was reported in the section ‘Machinery and transport equipment’ (1.5%). The data are according to the Standard International Trade Classification.

The total value of all exported goods to third countries and the EU amounted to 84 047.2 million BGN in 2024, which is 3.3% less than the previous year, while the total value of all imported goods from third countries and the EU added up to 97 389.1 million BGN and increased by 0.3%.

In the period January - November 2024, the exports of goods from Bulgaria to the EU decreased by 2.1% compared to the same period of 2023 and amounted to 50 173.3 million BGN, while the imports of goods from the EU decreased by 3.9% and amounted to 51 274.9 million BGN.

In November 2024, the exports of goods from Bulgaria to the EU increased by 3.0% compared to the same month of 2023 and amounted to 4 659.4 million BGN, while the imports of goods from the EU increased by 1.4% and amounted to 5 149.1 million BGN.

The most notable growth in the exports of goods to the EU compared to the same month of 2023 was recorded in the section ‘Mineral fuel, lubricants and related materials’ (26.4%). The most notable fall was reported in the section ‘Animal and vegetable oils, fats and waxes’ (19.5%). The largest growth in the imports of goods from the EU was recorded in the section ‘Mineral fuel, lubricants and related materials’ (74.9%), while the most notable fall was reported in the section ‘Manufactured goods classified chiefly by material’ (11.1%). Data are by the Standard International Trade Classification.

In January 2025, the total consumer confidence indicator drops by 7.3 percentage points compared to October 2024, which is due to the decreased confidence among both urban and rural inhabitants - by 5.2 and 12.6 percentage points respectively.

According to the National Statistical Institute preliminary data, in the fourth quarter of 2024, the number of newly built residential buildings was 1 378, and the newly built dwellings in them were 5 192.

In December 2024, the turnover in ‘Retail trade, except motor vehicles and motorcycles’ at constant prices increased by 0.5% compared to the previous month. The data are preliminary and seasonally adjusted.

A growth was reported in ‘Retail sales of non-food products (except fuel)’ - by 0.4%, and in ‘Retail sales of food, beverages and tobacco’ - by 0.2%. A decrease was registered in ‘Retail sales of automotive fuel in specialised stores’ - by 2.4%.

The trade turnover rose by 7.8% compared to December 2023 according to the calendar-adjusted data.

In December 2024, compared to the same month of 2023, an increase of the turnover was registered in ‘Retail sales of non-food products (except fuel)’ - by 11.6%, and in ‘Retail sales of food, beverages and tobacco’ - by 9.4%. А drop was reported in ‘Retail sales of automotive fuel in specialised stores’ - by 10.7%.

In November 2024, the total production index in Services of the business economy decreased by 1.1% compared to the previous month. The data are preliminary and seasonally adjusted.

Compared to November 2023, a rise of 3.2% was registered in the calendar-adjusted index according to preliminary data.

As of 31.12.2024, 119 children with disabilities were accommodated in homes for medico-social care for children, and compared to the previous year, their number decreased by 45.7%. As a result of the national deinstitutionalization policy, it is planned to move out  all children and close these institutions.

Detailed data on these health establishments can be found on the website of NSI under the heading ‘Homes for medico-social care for children’.

The data of the ‘General Government’ sector for the second quarter of 2024 have been published. Revenues in the amount of BGN 17 618.7 million, expenses in the amount of BGN 20 635.0 million and deficit in the amount of BGN 3 016.3 million were reported.

The data on revenues, expenditures and deficit/surplus of the ‘General Government’ sector are based on cash reports and trial balances on an accrual basis of the budgetary units, as well as quarterly data on the public enterprises reclassified in the sector, calculated by sub-sectors: sub-sector ‘Central Government’, sub-sector ‘Local Government’ and sub-sector ‘Social Insurance Funds’. The deficit/surplus of ‘General Government’ is equal to the sum of the deficit/surplus of sub-sector, while the total revenue and expenditure are consolidated between sub-sectors.  

The information is published on the basis of Article 3 (2) of Directive 2011/85 of the EU.

Detailed data can be found on the NSI website under the heading 'Government Finance Statistics'.

For December 2024, the reported revenues of sub-sector ‘Central Government’ were in the amount of BGN 4 972.65 million and the expenditures were in the amount of BGN 7 023.09 million, and for the sub-sector ‘Social Security Funds’ the revenues amounted to BGN 3 049.00 million and the expenditures were BGN 3 111.63 million.

The data for the ‘Central Government’ sub-sector are formed on the basis of the monthly cash statements of the budget units, as well as on estimates of the state enterprises reclassified in the sub-sector, and the data for the ‘Social Security Funds’ sub-sector - on the basis of the monthly cash statements of the National Insurance Institute and the National Health Insurance Fund.

The information is published on the basis of Article 3 (2) of Directive 2011/85 of the EU.

Detailed data can be found on NSI’s website under the heading 'Government Finance Statistics'.

In the fourth quarter of 2024, the municipal authorities issued building permits for the construction of 1 915 residential buildings with 9 861 dwellings, 15 administrative buildings/offices and 1 185 other buildings.

Compared to the fourth quarter of 2023 the issued building permits for new residential buildings decrease by 15.8%, for administrative buildings - by 31.8%, and for other buildings - by 6.0%.

The construction of 1 539 residential buildings with 8 601 dwellings, 8 administrative buildings/offices and 600 other buildings has started.

The number of started new residential buildings went up by 0.3% compared to the fourth quarter of 2023. The number of started administrative buildings was unchanged, until other buildings decreased by 6.4%.