Employees under Labour Contract and Gross Average Wages and Salaries, Fourth Quarter of 2023

The number of employees under labour contract at the end of December 2023 decreased by 0.5% as compared to the end of September 2023 and reached 2.29 million according to the preliminary data of the National Statistical Institute (NSI). The highest decrease was observed in economic activities: ‘Accommodation and food service activities’ - by 6.6%, ‘Agriculture, forestry and fishing’- by 5.9%, and ‘Transportation and storage’ - by 1.3%. The highest increase of the number of employees was recorded in economic activities ‘Arts, entertainment and recreation’ - by 1.6%, and ‘Human health and social work activities’ - by 1.5%.

In the fourth quarter of 2023, in comparison with the third quarter of 2023, the average monthly wages and salaries increased by 6.2% and reached 2 123 BGN. The highest increase in wages and salaries was reported in ‘Education’ - by 16.1%, ‘Human health and social work activities’ - by 8.3%, and in ‘Real estate activities’ - by 7.4%.