Statistical data

Dear users, due to a technical issue with Information system ‘Foreign trade’ when computing the data for the period January - March 2024, it was necessary to update the information.

Thank you for your understanding and we would like to apologize for the inconvenience.

In the period January - March 2024, the exports of goods from Bulgaria to the EU decreased by 11.7% compared to the same period of 2023 and amounted to 12 909.6 million BGN, while the imports of goods from the EU decreased by 6.7% and amounted to 13 908.0 million BGN.

In March 2024, the exports of goods from Bulgaria to the EU decreased by 9.9% compared to the same month of 2023 and amounted to 4 572.7 million BGN, while the imports of goods from the EU decreased by 14.4% and amounted to 4 695.0 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’ (12.6%). The most notable fall was reported in the section ‘Animal and vegetable oils, fats and waxes’ (45.8%). The largest growth in the imports of goods from the EU was recorded in the section ‘Mineral fuel, lubricants and related materials’ (78.7%), while the most notable fall was reported in the sector ‘Manufactured goods classified chiefly by material’ (19.4%). Data are by the Standard International Trade Classification.

The Industrial Production Index increased by 3.3% in April 2024 compared to the previous month. The data are preliminary and seasonally adjusted.

In April 2024, compared to the previous month, a growth was seen in the electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply - by 13.8%, in the mining and quarrying industry - by 4.2%, and in the manufacturing - by 0.9%.

In comparison with April 2023, a decrease of 0.3% was registered in the calendar-adjusted Industrial Production Index.

On an annual basis, a drop of the Industrial Production Index was observed in the mining and quarrying industry - by 7.7%, and in the manufacturing - by 1.9%, while the electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply increased - by 10.6%.

In April 2024, the index of production in the ‘Construction’ section decreased by 0.7% compared to the previous month. A decrease was seen in the civil engineering - by 1.3%, in the production of specialized construction activities - by 0.7%, and in the production of building construction - by 0.3%. The data are preliminary and seasonally adjusted.

The calendar-adjusted data showed an increase of 2.8% in the construction production compared to the same month of 2023. A rise was registered in the specialized construction activities - by 6.9%, and in the civil engineering - by 2.4%. In the building construction, a decrease of 0.2% was observed.

In the first quarter of 2024, the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) grew by 1.8% compared to the first quarter of 2023 and there is an increase of 0.4% compared to the fourth quarter of 2023 at seasonally adjusted data.

According to the preliminary data, GDP per person employed increased in real terms by 1.2% in the first quarter of 2024 compared to the same quarter of the previous year.

As of 31 December 2023, the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria is 110 996.76 sq. km. According to the types of durable land use (specific purpose of use) of the land properties, the largest area is occupied by agricultural areas - 54.5% and forest areas - 33.3% of the total area of the country. Urbanized areas cover nearly 5 279.4 sq. km or 4.8% of the country's territory. The average population density in the country is 58.1 persons per sq. km.

The National Statistical Institute publishes information on the land use distribution in the Republic of Bulgaria as of 31 December 2023, based on spatial data from the cadastral map of the country. The results are available by territorial units for statistical purposes (NUTS) and administrative-territorial units. In addition, information on population density on the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria is also provided.

In April 2024, the turnover in ‘Retail trade, except motor vehicles and motorcycles’ at constant prices increased by 1.9% compared to the previous month. The data are preliminary and seasonally adjusted.

An increase was reported in all major groups: ‚Retail sales of non-food products (except fuel)’ - by 6.8%, ‘Retail sales of automotive fuel in specialised stores’ - by 2.3% and ‘Retail sales of food, beverages and tobacco’ - by 1.2%.

The calendar-adjusted turnover rose by 9.9% compared to April 2023.

In April 2024, compared to the same month of 2023, an increase in turnover was registered in the ‚Retail sales of non-food products (except fuel)’ - by 14.8% and in the ‘Retail sales of food, beverages and tobacco’ - by 11.1%. А decrease was reported in the ‘Retail sales of automotive fuel in specialised stores’  - by 9.6%.

The total production index in Services of the business economy in March 2024 remained unchanged compared to the previous month. The data are preliminary and seasonally adjusted.

During March 2024, the production index in Services of the business economy increased by 3.2% compared to the same month of 2023. The data are preliminary and calendar-adjusted.

The preliminary data for 2023, published by NSI, refer to the production and supply of fuels and energy in the country. The following changes are observed compared to the reported data for 2022:

A significant decrease is observed in the indigenous production of brown and lignite coal - 41.0%, which present 97.7% of the total production of solid fuels. For the same period, their deliveries decreased by 43.4%.

The refinery feedstocks, used in the refineries for the production of petroleum products, decreased by 10.8% compared to 2022, as crude oil has the main share of 92.2%. Respectively, a decrease is also observed in the production of petroleum products - by 11.0%. Deliveries of petroleum products in 2023 remain stable, with a minimal increase of 0.4%.

The production of natural gas decreased by 46.0% compared to the previous year, as a decrease is also observed in the deliveries - by 7.1%.

Compared to 2022, a decrease is observed also for the gross production of electricity - by 20.8%. At the same time, the deliveries of electricity keep their level from 2022 with a slight decrease of 1.4%.

The gross production of heat decreases by 3.0% compared to the previous year and deliveries - by 2.7%.

The information is published pursuant to Regulation (EC) 1099/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council on energy statistics.

Detailed data can be found on the NSI website under the heading 'Energy balances - Energy supply block'.

At the end of March 2024 the number of employees under labour contract and contract according to the Civil Servants Act reached 98.3 thousands. The employees in Central administration were 56.1 thousands (57.1%) and in Territorial administration - 42.2 thousands (42.9%).

Detailed data can be found on the NSI website under the heading 'Labour Market'.