Statistical data

In the period January - August 2021 the exports of goods from Bulgaria to the EU increased by 23.5% compared to the same period of 2020 and amounted to 28 795.7 million BGN while the imports of goods to Bulgaria from the EU grew by 25.0% and reached 29 026.7 million BGN.

In August 2021 the exports to the EU increased by 26.6% compared to the corresponding month of the previous year and amounted to 3 537.5 million BGN while the imports grew by 23.0% and added up to 3 475.0 million BGN.

In the period January - September 2021 the exports of goods from Bulgaria to third countries increased by 20.3% compared to the same period of 2020 and amounted to 16 727.4 million BGN while the imports of goods from third countries grew by 27.2% and added up to 21 685.0 million BGN.

In the period January - September 2021 the total value of all exported goods to third countries and EU amounted to 49 468.9 million BGN, which is 22.4% more than the same period of the previous year, while the total value of all imported goods from third countries and EU added up to 54 871.9 million BGN and grew by 26.0%.

According to the preliminary data of the National Statistical Institute at the end of September 2021 the number of employees under labour contract decreased by 1.0% as compared to the end of June 2021 and reached 2.28 million.

In the third quarter of 2021 in comparison with the second quarter of 2021 the average gross monthly wages and salaries decreased by 0.3% - getting to 1 520 BGN.

According to the preliminary data in September 2021 the Industrial Production Index, seasonally adjusted, increased by 1.6% compared to August 2021.

In September 2021, the calendar adjusted Industrial Production Index rose by 10.5% in comparison with the same month of 2020.

In September 2021, the turnover in the retail trade increased by 0.6% compared to the previous month.

According to the preliminary seasonally adjusted data in September 2021 the turnover in ‘Retail trade, except of motor vehicles and motorcycles’ at constant prices increased by 0.6% compared to the previous month. The calendar adjusted turnover rose by 8.4% compared to the same month of the previous year.

According to the preliminary data, in September 2021 the index of production in section ‘Construction’ calculated on the basis of seasonally adjusted data remained at the level of the previous month. In September 2021, the calendar adjusted index of production in construction increased by 1.0% in comparison with the same month of 2020.

In September 2021, during the continuing epidemic situation, 2 612 accommodation establishments - hotels, motels, camping sites, mountain chalets and other establishments for short-term accommodation with more than 10 bed-places, functioned in the country. The total number of the rooms in them was 114.1 thousand and the bed-places were 255.6 thousand. In comparison with September 2020, the total number of accommodation establishments (functioned during the period) increased by 0.9%, and the bed-places in them - by 12.5%.

The total number of the nights spent in all accommodation establishments registered in September 2021 was 2 023.7 thousand, or by 13.2% more in comparison with the same month of the previous year.

The total revenues from nights spent in September 2021 increased by 35.1% compared to September 2020 and reached 119.1 million BGN.

According to preliminary data of the National Statistical Institute in the third quarter of 2021, the number of newly built residential buildings was 838 and the newly built dwellings in them were 3 390. Compared to the third quarter of 2020 the buildings were by 61 less (or by 6.8%), and the newly built dwellings in them decreased by 533 or by 13.6%.

In October 2021, the survey shows an increase of the pessimism in consumers’ assessments and expectations in comparison with July. The total consumer confidence indicator decreases by 10.8 percentage points compared to its level 3 months ago, which is due to the decreased confidence among both rural and urban inhabitants - by 11.9 and 10.2 percentage points, respectively.

In the third quarter of 2021, the municipal authorities issued building permits for the construction of 1 846 residential buildings with 8 877 dwellings, 9 administrative buildings/offices and 1 183 other buildings. The construction of 1 357 residential buildings with 6 526 dwellings, 14 administrative buildings/offices and 575 other buildings were started.