Press releases

In March 2014, the number of the trips of Bulgarian residents abroad was 313.4 thousand or by 1.5% above the registered in March 2013. The trips with other purposes (as guest, education and visits to cultural and sport events) composed the greatest share of the total number of trips of Bulgarian residents abroad - 44.5%, followed by the trips with holiday and recreation purposes - 29.0%, and with professional purposes - 26.5%.

In March 2014, the number of arrivals of visitors from abroad to Bulgaria was 361.1 thousand which was by 2.4% above the level of March 2013. An increase was registered in the visits with holiday and recreation purposes, and other purposes - by 4.4 and 2.1% respectively, while these with professional purposes decreased by 1.9%.

On the basis of preliminary data of the National Statistical Institute the General Government Sector reported in 2013 government deficit of 1 178 million BGN or 1.5% of GDP.

The Government Debt of Bulgaria for 2013 is 14 733 million BGN or 18.9% of GDP.

The market price index of the dwellings for the first quarter of 2014 compared to the fourth quarter of 2013 was 100.2%, i.e. the average increase of the market prices of the dwellings was 0.2%.

As of 31 December 2013 the population of Bulgaria is 7 245 677 persons or 1.4% of the EU population. Compared to 2012, the population of the country decreases by 38 875 persons.

There are 66 578 live born children in 2013. The number of live births decreases by 2 543 children compared to the previous year.

The number of dead persons is 104 345 and the crude mortality rate - 14.4‰. Compared to the previous year the number of dead people decreases by 4 936.

In 2013 the average price per one decar agricultural land reached 594 BGN, which was 8.6% higher than in 2012. The average rent price per one decar hired/leased agricultural land in 2013 reached 38 BGN and was by 11.8% higher than in 2012.

The consumer price index in March 2014 compared to February 2014 was 99.8%, i.e. the monthly inflation was -0.2%.

In January 2014 the Bulgarian exports to the EU decreased by 2.6% compared to the corresponding month of the previous year and amounted to 2.0 Billion BGN while the imports increased by 12.8% and added up to 2.3 Billion BGN.

In the period January - February 2014 the Bulgarian exports to third countries decreased by 14.2% compared to the corresponding period of the previous year and amounted to 2.4 Billion BGN while the imports decreased by 8.8% and added up to 3.0 Billion BGN.

In the period January - February 2014 the total value of all exported goods (both for third countries and EU) amounted to 6.3 Billion BGN and compared to the corresponding period of 2013 the exports decreased by 5.9% while the total value of all imported goods added up to 7.8 Billion BGN and decreased by 0.3%.

According to the latest data, in 2013 the expenditures for acquiring fixed tangible and intangible assets in industry are by 6.3% more compared to 2012. However the plans of industrial enterprises in 2014 are for a decrease of investments by 6.3% in comparison with the previous year.