Press releases

In the period January - August 2016 the Bulgarian exports to third countries decreased by 13.8% compared to the same period of 2015 and amounted to 9 516.1 Million BGN while the imports dropped by 12.5% and added up to 10 892.1 Million BGN.

In the period January - August 2016 the total value of all exported goods (both for third countries and EU) amounted to 29 691.0 Million BGN and in comparison with the corresponding period of the previous year the exports decreased by 2.0% while the total value of all imported goods added up to 32 631.3 Million BGN and dropped by 3.9%.

According to the preliminary data, in August 2016 the index of production in section ‘Construction’ calculated on the base of seasonally adjusted data was 0.4% above the level of the previous month. In August 2016 the working day adjusted index of production in construction decreased by 10.2% in comparison with the same month of 2015.

According to the preliminary seasonally adjusted data in August 2016 the turnover in ‘Retail trade, except of motor vehicles and motorcycles’ at constant prices increased by 0.9% compared to the previous month.

According to the preliminary data the Industrial Production Index, seasonally adjusted, increased by 0.7% in August 2016 as compared to July 2016. In August 2016 the working day adjusted Industrial Production Index rose by 2.6% in comparison with the same month of 2015.

Total Producer Price Index in August 2016 decreased by 0.3% compared to the previous month; compared to the same month of 2015 the prices went down by 2.7%. Producer Price Index on Domestic Market in August 2016 declined by 0.2% compared to the previous month; compared to the same month of 2015 the domestic prices fell by 2.7%.

In July 2016 compared to June 2016 an increase is reported for the production of solid fuels by 30.0%, liquefied petroleum gases - by 22.2%, transport diesel - by 1.3%, and electricity - by 6.4%. At the same time a decrease is reported for the production of unleaded motor gasoline - by 1.9%. No change for the production of natural gas.

In July 2016 compared to June 2016 an increase is reported for the deliveries of solid fuels by 28.8%, liquefied petroleum gases - by 24.3%, unleaded motor gasoline - by 140.9%, transport diesel - by 55.8%, and electricity - by 8.2%. At the same time a decrease is reported for the deliveries of natural gas - by 18.5%. 

In September 2016 the total business climate indicator preserves its level from the previous month. The inquiry reports an improvement of the indicator in industry, construction and retail trade, while in the service sector a decrease is registered.

In August 2016, the number of the trips of Bulgarian residents abroad was 590.6 thousand or by 15.3% above the registered in August 2015. The trips with other purposes (as a guest, education and visit the cultural and sport events) in August 2016 composed the greatest share of the total number of trips of Bulgarian residents abroad - 44.7%, followed by the trips with holiday and recreation purpose - 41.7%, and with professional purpose - 13.6%.

In August 2016, the number of arrivals of visitors from abroad to Bulgaria was 1 917.5 thousand or by 10.9% more in comparison with August 2015. An increase was registered in the trips by all observed purposes: with holiday and recreation purpose - by 18.4%, with professional purpose - by 8.7%, and with other purposes - by 0.7%. 

In 2014, Bulgaria spent 15 490.8 million BGN for social protection. Тo finance social protection in the country, 8 199.0 million BGN were allocated from the state budget while the receipts of social protection contributions amounted to 8 282.1 million BGN.