Statistical data

According to preliminary data of the National Statistical Institute in the fourth quarter of 2017 the number of newly built residential buildings was 659 and the newly built dwellings in them were 2 046. Compared to the fourth quarter of 2016 the buildings were by 34 more (or by 5.4%) while the newly built dwellings in them decreased by 354 or by 14.8%.

According to the preliminary data, in December 2017 the index of production in section ‘Construction’ calculated on the base of seasonally adjusted data was 3.0% below the level of the previous month. In December 2017 the working day adjusted index of production in construction decreased by 4.1% in comparison with the same month of 2016.

According to the preliminary seasonally adjusted data in December 2017 the turnover in ‘Retail trade, except of motor vehicles and motorcycles’ at constant prices increased by 0.5% compared to the previous month.

According to the preliminary data the Industrial Production Index, seasonally adjusted, increased by 0.7% in December 2017 as compared to November 2017. In December 2017 the working day adjusted Industrial Production Index rose by 2.0% in comparison with the same month of 2016.

In January 2018, the total consumer confidence indicator increases by 1.1 percentage points in comparison with its October 2017 level, which is due entirely to the increased confidence among the urban population.

In the fourth quarter of 2017, the municipal authorities issued building permits for construction of 1 296 residential buildings with 7 327 dwellings, of 30 administrative buildings/offices and 1 130 other buildings. The construction of 779 residential buildings with 4 215 dwellings, of 16 administrative buildings/offices and 570 other buildings was started.

In November 2017 compared to October 2017 an increase is reported for the production of transport diesel - by 7.6% and electricity - by 17.3%. A decrease is reported for the production of solid fuels - by 16.7% and liquefied petroleum gases - by 10.0%. No change for the production of unleaded motor gasoline.

In November 2017 compared to October 2017 an increase is reported for the deliveries of unleaded motor gasoline - by 35.1%, natural gas - by 33.1% and electricity - by 11.5%. At the same time a decrease is reported for the deliveries of solid fuels - by 16.2%, liquefied petroleum gases - by 6.7% and transport diesel - by 22.3%.

Total Producer Price Index in December 2017 remains unchanged compared to the previous month; compared to the same month of 2016 the prices rose by 4.1%. Producer Price Index on Domestic Market in December 2017 increases by 0.1% compared to the previous month; compared to the same month of 2016 the domestic prices grew by 5.1%. 

In December 2017, the number of the trips of Bulgarian residents abroad was 459.2 thousand or by 15.6% above the registered in December 2016. The trips with other purposes (as a guest, education and visit the cultural and sport events) in December 2017 composed the greatest share of the total number of trips of Bulgarian residents abroad - 49.1%, followed by the trips with holiday and recreation purpose - 27.6%, and with professional purpose - 23.3%.

In December 2017, the number of arrivals of visitors from abroad to Bulgaria was 596.1 thousand or by 12.2% more in comparison with December 2016. In December 2017, the predominant share of the visits with other purposes was 46.4%, followed by trips with holiday and recreation purpose - 35.1%, and with professional purpose - 18.5%.

In January 2018, the total business climate indicator increases by 2.6 percentage points compared to December 2017. An improvement of the business conjuncture is registered in industry and service sector, while in construction and retail trade the indicator remains approximately to its level from the previous month.