Press releases

Тhe index of production in the ‘Construction’ section decreased by 0.7% in February 2023 compared to the previous month. The production of building construction fell by 0.8% and the production of civil engineering - by 0.5%.

Compared to February 2022, the index of production in construction went down by 2.9%. A decrease was seen both in civil engineering - by 4.1%, and in building construction - by 2.0%.

In February 2023, the turnover in ‘Retail trade, except motor vehicles and motorcycles’ at constant prices decreased by 0.5% compared to the previous month. The data are preliminary and seasonally adjusted.

A decline in turnover was reported in ‘Retail sale of non-food products (except fuel)’ - by 1.8%, while in ‘Retail sale of automotive fuel in specialised stores’ and in ‘Retail sale of food, beverages and tobacco’ an increase was observed - by 1.2% and 0.7%, respectively.

The calendar-adjusted turnover went up by 4.3% compared to the same month in 2022.

An increase was seen in ‘Retail sale of automotive fuel in specialised stores’ (7.3%), in ‘Retail sale of non-food products (except fuel)’ (4.9%) and in ‘Retail sale of food, beverages and tobacco’ (2.0%).

The Industrial Production Index increased by 0.6% in February 2023 compared to January 2023. The data are preliminary and seasonally adjusted.

Compared to the previous month, an increase was reported in the electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply - by 18.4%, in the mining and quarrying industry - by 3.2%, while in manufacturing there was a decrease in the industrial production - by 2.9%.

In February 2023, a decline of 1.8% was observed in the calendar-adjusted Industrial Production Index in comparison with the same month in 2022.

Compared to February 2022, a drop was reported in the mining and quarrying industry - by 10.7%, in the electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply - by 5.0%, and in manufacturing - by 0.3%.

In January 2023, compared to December 2022, an increase is reported for the production of: transport diesel by - 29.3%, liquefied petroleum gases - by 16.7%, unleaded motor gasoline - by 5.8%, and electricity - by 1.3%. A decrease is reported only for the production of solid fuels - by 7.2%. No change for the production of natural gas.

In  January 2023, compared to the same month of the previous year, an increase is reported for the production of: liquefied petroleum gases - by 75.0%, transport diesel - by 23.3%, and unleaded motor gasoline - by 13.0%. A decrease is reported for the production of: natural gas - by 50.0%, solid fuels - by 15.7%, and electricity - by 14.1%.

In January 2023, compared to December 2022, an increase is reported only for the deliveries of electricity - by 3.0%. A decrease is reported for the deliveries of: unleaded motor gasoline - by 77.3%, liquefied petroleum gases - by 32.7%, solid fuels - by 10.1%, natural gas - by 7.1%, and transport diesel - by 6.7%.

In January 2023, compared to the same month of the previous year, an increase is reported for the deliveries of: transport diesel - by 23.3%, and liquefied petroleum gases - by 15.6%. A decrease is reported for the deliveries of: unleaded motor gasoline - by 75.6%,  natural gas - by 32.8%, solid fuels - by 20.7%, and electricity - by 5.8%.

In the fourth quarter of 2022, gross domestic product (GDP) grew by 2.3% compared to the fourth quarter of 2021.

In January 2023, the total consumer confidence indicator increases by 4.0 percentage points compared to October 2022.

During the fourth quarter of 2022, 72.5% of GDP was spent on individual consumption.

The employment rate for the population aged 15 years and over was 54.9%.

Тhe unemployment rate decreased by 0.6 percentage points and stood at 3.9%.

The total hourly labour cost rose by 16.1% for the fourth quarter of 2022.

In the fourth quarter of 2022, the house price index increased by 13.4%.

The Total Producer Price Index in Industry decreased by 5.9% in February 2023 compared to the previous month. Lower prices were registered in the electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply by 17.0%, and in the manufacturing by 0.1%. The prices went up in the mining and quarrying industry by 0.6%.

The Producer Price Index on the Domestic Market decreased by 7.9% in February 2023 compared to the previous month. The domestic prices went down in the electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply by 16.5%, and in the manufacturing by 0.2%. The prices increased in the mining and quarrying industry by 0.2%.

The Total Producer Price Index rose by 8.9% in February 2023 compared to the same month in 2022. Significant growth was seen in the manufacturing by 11.3%, in the mining and quarrying industry by 8.9%, and in the electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply by 3.5%.

The Producer Price Index on the Domestic Market went up by 9.7% compared to February 2022. Prices rose in manufacturing by 16.5%, in the mining and quarrying industry by 10.8%, and in the electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply by 2.2%.

In March 2023, the total business climate indicator preserves its level from February. A reduction of the indicator is registered in industry, retail trade and service sector, and in construction, an increase is observed.

The uncertain economic environment remains the most serious problem for the business development in all sectors.

In February 2023, the number of trips of Bulgarian residents abroad was 450.6 thousand or 7.9% above the registered in February 2022.

The trips with other purposes (as a guest, education and visiting cultural and sports events) in February 2023 composed the greatest share of the total number of trips of Bulgarian residents abroad - 44.5%, followed by those with holiday and recreation purpose - 28.5%, and with professional purpose - 27.0%.

In February 2023, the number of visits of non-residents to Bulgaria was 604.7 thousand or 47.6% more in comparison with February 2022. An increase in the trips with all observed purposes was registered. Transit passes through the country were 34.6% (209.0 thousand) of all visits of non-residents to Bulgaria.

In 2022, Luxembourg and Ireland recorded the highest level of GDP per capita in the EU, at 161% and 134% above the EU average. Bulgaria was the Member State with the lowest GDP per capita, at 41% below the EU average.

By 16.1% rose the total hourly labour cost for the fourth quarter of 2022 compared to the fourth quarter of 2021 (preliminary data). The total hourly labour cost increased by 21.3% in industry, 17.8% in services and 11.0% in construction.

The breakdown by economic activities showed that the highest annual growth in total labour costs was recorded in ‘Electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply’ - by 33.3%, ‘Accommodation and food service activities’ - by 32.9%, and ‘Arts, entertainment and recreation’ - by 25.2%.