Press releases

In January 2022, compared to December 2021, an increase is reported for the production of solid fuels - by 11.5% and electricity - by 3.1%. Production of petroleum products is recovered to its usual levels after the planned repairs of production facilities carried out in the previous months: liquefied petroleum gases - 4 thousand tonnes, unleaded motor gasoline - 146 thousand tonnes and transport diesel - 258 thousand tonnes. No change in the production of natural gas.

In January 2022, compared to December 2021, an increase is reported for the deliveries of solid fuels - by 10.2%, unleaded motor gasoline - by 57.7%, natural gas - by 5.2% and electricity - by 5.5%. At the same time, a decrease is reported for the deliveries of liquefied petroleum gases - by 15.8% and transport diesel - by 13.9%.

The Total Producer Price Index in February 2022 increased by 1.0% compared to the previous month and by 32.3% compared to the same month of 2021. The Producer Price Index on the Domestic Market in February 2022 decreased by 0.1% compared to the previous month; compared to the same month of 2021, the domestic prices rose by 40.5%.

In February 2022, in the conditions of the continuing epidemic situation, the number of trips of Bulgarian residents abroad was 417.5 thousand, or by 93.9% above the registered in February 2021.

In February 2022, the number of arrivals of visitors from abroad to Bulgaria was 409.8 thousand, or by 70.1% above in comparison with February 2021, as the transit was 39.2% (160.7 thousand) of all visits of foreigners in the country.

In March 2022, the total business climate indicator decreases by 4.8 percentage points in comparison with February as a result of the unfavourable business climate in industry, retail trade and service sector.

Main results from the short business survey amongst the non-financial enterprises that aims at presenting information on the economic effects of the declared state of emergency and the ensuing epidemic situation in the country due to COVID-19.

In March 2022, the National Statistical Institute conducted the monthly inquiry survey of the managers of accommodation establishments to gather accurate and timely information on the state and development of their businesses during the ensuing epidemic situation in the country.

In 2021, Luxembourg and Ireland recorded the highest level of GDP per capita in the EU, at 177% and 121% above the EU average. Bulgaria was the Member State with the lowest GDP per capita, at 45% below the EU average.

Preliminary data of the NSI for the fourth quarter of 2021 indicate that the total hourly labour cost rose by 12.1% compared to the fourth quarter of 2020.

In 2021 the unemployment rate was 5.3%.

The employment rate of population aged 20 - 64 years was 73.2%.

The consumer price index in February 2022 compared to January 2022 was 101.4%, i.e. the monthly inflation was 1.4%.