Statistical data

In September 2018, 2 841 accommodation establishments - hotels, motels, camping sites, mountain chalets and other establishments for short-term accommodation with more than 10 bed-places were functioned in the country. The total number of the rooms in them was 129.5 thousand and the bed-places were 292.4 thousand. In comparison with September 2017, the total number of accommodation establishments (functioned during the period) increased by 4.1% and the bed-places in them - by 2.4%.

The total number of the nights spent in all accommodation establishments registered in September 2018 was 3 168.5 thousand, or by 2.6% more in comparison with the same month of the previous year.

The total revenues from nights spent in September 2018 reached 164.2 million BGN or by 7.6% more compared to September 2017.

According to the preliminary data of the National Statistical Institute at the end of September 2018 the number of employees under labour contract decreased by 1.6% as compared to the end of June 2018 and reached 2.32 million.

In the third quarter of 2018 in comparison with the second quarter of 2018 the average monthly wages and salaries decreased by 0.7% getting 1 117 BGN.

According to the preliminary data, in September 2018 the index of production in section ‘Construction’ calculated on the base of seasonally adjusted data was 2.0% below the level of the previous month. In September 2018 the working day adjusted index of production in construction decreased by 4.0% in comparison with the same month of 2017.

According to the preliminary seasonally adjusted data in September 2018 the turnover in ‘Retail trade, except of motor vehicles and motorcycles’ division at constant prices increased by 0.3% compared to the previous month. The working day adjusted turnover increased by 4.6% as compared to the same month of the previous year.

According to the preliminary data the Industrial Production Index, seasonally adjusted, fell by 1.2% in September 2018 as compared to August 2018. In September 2018 the working day adjusted Industrial Production Index decreased by 0.8% in comparison with the same month of 2017.

According to preliminary data of the National Statistical Institute in the third quarter of 2018 the number of newly built residential buildings was 454 and the newly built dwellings in them were 1 944. Compared to the third quarter of 2017 the buildings were by 51 less (or by 10.1%) and the newly built dwellings in them decreased by 73 or by 3.6%.

In October 2018, the total consumer confidence indicator decreases by 3.2 percentage points in comparison with to July, which is due to the decreased confidence among both urban and rural inhabitants.

In the third quarter of 2018, the municipal authorities issued building permits for construction of 1 659 residential buildings with 9 419 dwellings, of 37 administrative buildings/offices and 1 207 other buildings. The construction of 1 038 residential buildings with 5 921 dwellings, of 29 administrative buildings/offices and 638 other buildings was started.

In 2017, the total amount of expenditure on research and development activity (R&D) was 760.2 million BGN, which was 3.5% more than the previous year.

In August 2018 compared to July 2018 an increase is reported for the production of solid fuels - by 0.9%, transport diesel - by 2.4% and electricity - by 4.8%. At the same time a decrease is reported for the production of unleaded motor gasoline - by 13.0%. No change for the production of liquefied petroleum gases.

In August 2018 compared to July 2018 an increase is reported for the deliveries of solid fuels - by 0.3%, liquefied petroleum gases - by 23.7%, unleaded motor gasoline - by 8.9%, transport diesel - by 0.9% and electricity - by 1.9%. At the same time a decrease is reported for the deliveries of and natural gas - by 5.4%.