Press releases

The Industrial Production Index increased by 0.7% in August 2022 compared to July 2022. The data are preliminary and seasonally adjusted.

Compared to the previous month an increase was reported in the electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply - by 1.5% and in manufacturing - by 1.2%, while a decrease was seen in the mining and quarrying industry - by 7.6%.

In August 2022 the calendar adjusted Industrial Production Index rose by 16.5% in comparison with the same month of 2021.

Growth compared to August 2021 was reported in the electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply - by 51.3%, in manufacturing - by 12.7% while a decline was observed in the mining and quarrying industry - by 5.7%.

The population of the country as of September 7, 2021, is 6 519 789. Women are 3 383 527 (51.9%), and men are 3 136 262 (48.1%), or there are 927 men per 1 000 women. 4 782 064 people live in the towns, or 73.3%, and 1 737 725 people live in the villages, or 26.7% of the population of the country.

The press release ‘Key Indicators for Bulgaria’ provides general economic and financial information for the country. The scope of the material includes indicators from the following thematic areas:

• Output
• Private consumption
• Investment
• Labour market
• International transactions
• Prices (Inflation rate, House price indices)
• Monetary and financial indicators

The analytical material is updated quarterly, according to the Calendar for dissemination of statistical survey results. Annual data for the indicators included in the survey are published in a separate application in the first half of each calendar year. The sources of the information are the National Statistical Institute and the Bulgarian National Bank. The information in the press release is current as of the date of publication.

The Total Producer Price Index increased by 8.7% in August 2022 compared to the previous month. Higher prices were registered in the electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply by 28.0%, and in the mining and quarrying industry by 5.6%, while lower prices were observed in the manufacturing by 1.6%.

The Producer Price Index on the Domestic Market increased by 12.5% compared to July 2022. The domestic prices went up in the electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply by 26.5%, and in mining and quarrying industry by 5.3%. Prices fell in the manufacturing by 1.1%.

The Total Producer Price Index rose by 50.3% in August 2022 compared to the same month of 2021. The prices went up in the electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply by 130.6%, in the manufacturing by 22.7%, in the mining and quarrying industry by 9.0%.

The Producer Price Index on the Domestic Market went up by 68.2% compared to August 2021. Prices rose in the electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply by 129.2%, in manufacturing by 29.7% and in the mining and quarrying industry by 12.0%.

In July 2022, compared to June 2022, an increase is reported for the production of: solid fuels - by 16.1%, liquefied petroleum gases - by 11.1%, transport diesel - by 6.9%, electricity - by 4.2% and unleaded motor gasoline - by 3.2%. A decrease is reported only for the production of natural gas - by 50.0%.

In July 2022, compared to the same month of the previous year, an increase is reported for the production of: transport diesel - by 54.0%, solid fuels - by 39.6%, unleaded motor gasoline - by 33.9%, liquefied petroleum gases - by 25.0% and electricity - by 9.6%. A decrease is reported only for the production of natural gas - by 50.0%.

In July 2022, compared to June 2022, an increase is reported for the deliveries of: liquefied petroleum gases - by 18.2%, solid fuels - by 14.2%, electricity - by 8.3%, natural gas - by 5.0% and transport diesel - by 1.9%. A decrease is reported only for the deliveries of unleaded motor gasoline - by 37.9%.

In July 2022, compared to the same month of the previous year, an increase is reported for the deliveries of: solid fuels - by 34.2% and liquefied petroleum gases - by 11.4%. A decrease is reported for the deliveries of: unleaded motor gasoline - by 28.0%, natural gas - by 27.0%, transport diesel - by 14.3% and electricity - by 4.8%.

In August 2022, the number of the trips of Bulgarian residents abroad was 744.9 thousand or by 18.9% above the registered in August 2021.  

The trips with holiday and recreation purpose in August 2022 composed the greatest share of the total number of trips of Bulgarian residents abroad - 44.7%, followed by those with other purposes (as a guest, education and visit the cultural and sports events) - 39.6%, and with professional purpose - 15.7%.

In August 2022, the number of visits by foreigners to Bulgaria was 1 897.3 thousand or 23.4% more in comparison with August 2021. An increase in the trips with all observed purposes was registered. Transit passes through the country were 37.3% (707.7 thousand) of all visits of foreigners to Bulgaria.

In September 2022, the total business climate indicator increases by 0.8 percentage points in comparison with the previous month.

An increase of the indicator is observed in industry, retail trade and service sector. Only in construction, the business climate is decreased.

In all sectors, the most serious problem for the business development remains the uncertain economic environment.

By 14.4% rose the total hourly labour cost for the second quarter of 2022 compared to the second quarter of 2021 (preliminary data of the NSI). The total hourly labour cost increased by 15.0% in industry, 16.8% in services and 11.5% in construction.

The breakdown by economic activities showed that the highest annual growth in total labour costs was recorded in ‘Administrative and support service activities’ - by 22.5%, ‘Arts, entertainment and recreation’, ‘Other service activities’ - by 19.4% each, and ‘Wholesale and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles’ by 18.2%.

In 2020, Bulgaria spent 21 924.4 million BGN for social protection benefits. Тo financing social protection in the country, 11 142.3 million BGN were allocated from the state budget while the receipts of social protection contributions amounted to 13 578.4 million BGN.

In 2020 the social protection benefits by function are:

• “Sickness/Healthcare” - 6 587.9 million BGN;
• “Disability” - 1 864.6 million BGN;
• “Old age” - 9 289.0 million BGN;
• “Survivors” - 1 087.3 million BGN;
• “Family/Children” - 1 974.8 million BGN;
• “Unemployment” - 821.3 million BGN;
• “Жилищни нужди” - 0.57 million BGN;
• “Social exclusion n.e.c.” - 298.9 million BGN.

The ‘Old age’ function with its major component expenditure for pensions had the highest share (42.4%) in total expenditure. The ‘Sickness/Healthcare’ and ‘Family/Children’ functions also had a significant share of total expenditure - 30.0% and 9.0% respectively.

More information and data on receipts and expenditure for social protection can be found on the website of NSI, section ‘Social protection’ (https://www.nsi.bg/bg/node/4061) and on the Information System ‘Infostat’ (https://infostat.nsi.bg/infostat/pages/module.jsf?x_2=45).

Тhe exported goods amounted to 68 431.2 million BGN or 24.9% more than in 2020. The imported goods were for 76 742.6 million BGN, which is 27.6% more than the previous year.

The largest growth in the exports of goods compared to 2020 was reported in the section ‘Animal and vegetable oils, fats and waxes’ (63.3%). Fall was observed only in the section ‘Beverages and tobacco’ (13.1%). The largest growth in the imports of goods was registered in the section ‘Mineral fuel, lubricants and related materials’ (71.8%) while fall was not observed in any of the sections. Data are by the Standard International Trade Classification.