Statistical data

According to the preliminary seasonally adjusted data in September 2018 the turnover in ‘Retail trade, except of motor vehicles and motorcycles’ division at constant prices increased by 0.3% compared to the previous month. The working day adjusted turnover increased by 4.6% as compared to the same month of the previous year.

According to the preliminary data the Industrial Production Index, seasonally adjusted, fell by 1.2% in September 2018 as compared to August 2018. In September 2018 the working day adjusted Industrial Production Index decreased by 0.8% in comparison with the same month of 2017.

According to preliminary data of the National Statistical Institute in the third quarter of 2018 the number of newly built residential buildings was 454 and the newly built dwellings in them were 1 944. Compared to the third quarter of 2017 the buildings were by 51 less (or by 10.1%) and the newly built dwellings in them decreased by 73 or by 3.6%.

In October 2018, the total consumer confidence indicator decreases by 3.2 percentage points in comparison with to July, which is due to the decreased confidence among both urban and rural inhabitants.

In the third quarter of 2018, the municipal authorities issued building permits for construction of 1 659 residential buildings with 9 419 dwellings, of 37 administrative buildings/offices and 1 207 other buildings. The construction of 1 038 residential buildings with 5 921 dwellings, of 29 administrative buildings/offices and 638 other buildings was started.

In 2017, the total amount of expenditure on research and development activity (R&D) was 760.2 million BGN, which was 3.5% more than the previous year.

In August 2018 compared to July 2018 an increase is reported for the production of solid fuels - by 0.9%, transport diesel - by 2.4% and electricity - by 4.8%. At the same time a decrease is reported for the production of unleaded motor gasoline - by 13.0%. No change for the production of liquefied petroleum gases.

In August 2018 compared to July 2018 an increase is reported for the deliveries of solid fuels - by 0.3%, liquefied petroleum gases - by 23.7%, unleaded motor gasoline - by 8.9%, transport diesel - by 0.9% and electricity - by 1.9%. At the same time a decrease is reported for the deliveries of and natural gas - by 5.4%.

Total Producer Price Index in September 2018 increased with 0.3% compared to the previous month; compared to the same month of 2017 the prices rose by 3.7%. Producer Price Index on Domestic Market in September 2018 increased by 0.3% compared to the previous month; compared to the same month of 2017 the domestic prices grew by 3.1%.

In September 2018, the number of the trips of Bulgarian residents abroad was 633.4 thousand or by 11.0% above the registered in September 2017. The trips with other purposes (as a guest, education and visit the cultural and sport events) in September 2018 composed the greatest share of the total number of trips of Bulgarian residents abroad - 44.5%, followed by the trips with holiday and recreation purpose - 34.9%, and with professional purpose - 20.6%.

In September 2018, the number of arrivals of visitors from abroad to Bulgaria was 1 324.2 thousand or by 4.2% more in comparison with September 2017. In September 2018, the predominant share of the visits with holiday and recreation purpose was 46.6%, followed by trips with other purposes - 39.2%, and with professional purpose - 14.2%.

In October 2018, the total business climate indicator decreases by 1.9 percentage points compared to the previous month as a result of the more unfavourable conjuncture in the industry, retail trade and service sector.