Statistical data

In 2024, the exports of goods from Bulgaria to the EU decreased by 2.1% compared to the same period of 2023 and amounted to 53 975.8 million BGN, while the imports of goods from the EU decreased by 4.0% and amounted to 55 805.5 million BGN.

In December 2024, the exports of goods from Bulgaria to the EU decreased by 3.7% compared to the same month of 2023 and amounted to 3 753.8 million BGN, while the imports of goods from the EU decreased by 5.6% and amounted to 4 505.2 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’ (25.6%). The most notable fall was reported in the section ‘Animal and vegetable oils, fats and waxes’ (19.4%). The largest growth in the imports of goods from the EU was recorded in the section ‘Mineral fuel, lubricants and related materials’ (60.3%), while the most notable fall was reported in the section ‘Manufactured goods classified chiefly by material’ (13.2%). Data are by the Standard International Trade Classification.

In January 2025, 2 182 accommodation establishments - hotels, motels, camping sites, mountain chalets and other establishments for short-term accommodation, with 10 or more bed-places, functioned in the country, with 64.2 thousand rooms and 133.6 thousand bed-places in them. In comparison with the same month of the previous year, the number of accommodation establishments increased by 0.5%, and the bed-places in them - by 3.7%.

The total number of nights spent was 1 135.9 thousand, or 10.2% more in comparison to a year earlier, and the number of arrivals in all accommodation establishments increased by 12.7% and reached 487.0 thousand.

The total revenues from nights spent reached 112.9 million BGN, or 24.0% more compared to the same month of the previous year.

The Industrial Production Index decreased by 2.0% in January 2025 compared to the previous month. The data are preliminary and seasonally adjusted.

In January 2025, compared to December 2024, a decrease was seen in the mining and quarrying industry - by 19.0%, and in the manufacturing - by 1.1%, while an increase was registered in the electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply - by 12.5%.

In comparison with January 2024, a decrease of 3.5% was reported in the calendar-adjusted Industrial Production Index.

On an annual basis, a drop of the Industrial Production Index was observed in the electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply - by 14.5%, in the mining and quarrying industry - by 4.5%, and in the manufacturing - by 0.3%.

In January 2025, the production index in the ‘Construction’ section increased by 1.6% compared to the previous month. An increase was seen in the production of civil engineering - by 2.0%, in the production of building construction - by 1.8%, and in the specialized construction activities - by 1.0%. The data are preliminary and seasonally adjusted.

The calendar-adjusted data showed a rise of 7.6% in the construction production compared to the same month of 2024. Civil engineering went up by 9.3%, specialized construction activities - by 9.0%, and construction of buildings - by 5.2%.

According to the preliminary data, GDP per person employed increased in real terms by 3.1% in the fourth quarter of 2024 compared to the same quarter of the previous year.

According to the preliminary data, GDP per person employed increased in real terms by 1.7% in 2024 compared to the previous year.

In the fourth quarter of 2024, the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) grew by 3.4% compared to the fourth quarter of 2023 and there was an increase of 0.9% compared to the third quarter of 2024 at seasonally adjusted data.

GDP for 2024, obtained as a sum of quarterly data, increases in real terms by 2.8% compared to 2023.

In January 2025, the turnover in ‘Retail trade, except motor vehicles and motorcycles’ at constant prices kept its level from the previous month. The data are preliminary and seasonally adjusted.

A growth was reported in ‘Retail sales of automotive fuel in specialised stores’ - by 9.2% and in ‘Retail sales of non-food products (except fuel)’ - by 0.2%. A decrease was registered in ‘Retail sales of food, beverages and tobacco’ - by 2.7%.

The trade turnover rose by 8.1% compared to January 2024 according to the calendar-adjusted data.

In January 2025, compared to the same month of 2024, an increase of the turnover was registered in all of the big groups: ‘Retail sales of automotive fuel in specialised stores’ - by 15.5%, ‘Retail sales of non-food products (except fuel)’ - by 9.8%, and in ‘Retail sales of food, beverages and tobacco’ - by 3.9%.

In December 2024, the total production index in Services of the business economy increased by 2.1% compared to the previous month. The data are preliminary and seasonally adjusted.

Compared to December 2023, a rise of 6.0% was registered in the calendar-adjusted index according to preliminary data.

At the end of December 2024, the number of employees under labour contract and contract according to the Civil Servants Act reached 99.0 thousands. The employees in Central administration were 56.4 thousand (57.0%) and in Territorial administration - 42.6 thousand (43.0%).

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