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In the last days of 2017 NSI published data on key economic indicators. Here is how Bulgaria starts 2018:<\/span><\/p>\nManufacturing<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n Manufacturing, as well as mining, reported growth of 5.5% and 4.3% respectively, while production and distribution of electricity, thermal energy and gas dropped by 8.8%. Construction output increased just over 10% compared to 2016 mainly due to building construction, while civil engineering registered a decrease. According to preliminary data, Bulgaria\u2019s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) totaled BGN 26 990 million in the third quarter of 2017 at current prices. This corresponds to BGN 3 810 or EUR 1 948 of the value of the indicator per capita. Seasonally adjusted data show growth of 3.9% of the GDP in the third quarter of 2017.<\/span><\/p>\n Consumption<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n Individual consumption of the population amounted to 61.7% of the GDP, recording an increase of 4.6% compared to last year.<\/span><\/p>\n Turnover in retail trade, estimated on a calendar-adjusted basis, went up by 3.8% compared to the corresponding month a year ago. The growth was mainly due to the retail trade of various goods – by 13.8%; retail trade of pharmaceutical and medical goods by 11.2%; retail trade of computers and communication equipment – by 8.8%, retail trade of household appliances, furniture and other household goods – by 6.8%; and retail trade of food, beverages and tobacco – by 5.8%. A decline was registered in the retail trade of automotive fuels and lubricants, textiles, clothing, footwear and leather goods.<\/span><\/p>\n Labor market<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n The relative share of employed persons aged 15+ was 53.2% (corresponding to 3 225.0 thousand men and women), an increase of 3.3% compared to last year. The unemployment rate was 5.8%, corresponding to a decrease by 12.6% of the number of unemployed persons.<\/span><\/p>\n Of the total number of unemployed persons 112.4 thousand (56.2%) were men and 87.8 thousand (43.8%) were women. According to preliminary data, the total costs of employers per hour worked <\/span>increased<\/span> by 10.7%. A major increase in costs was registered in industry – by 11.5%, in services – by 10.8%, and in construction – by 7.0%.<\/span><\/p>\n In September 2017 the average salary totaled BGN 1 064, going up by 11.5% over a one-year period.<\/span><\/p>\n International commerce<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n The current account was positive and amounted to EUR 2 684 million (5.4% of GDP). The trade balance was negative and was in the amount of EUR 1 270.4 million (2.5% of GDP). Exports totaled EUR 21 527.3 million (42.9% of GDP), rising by EUR 2 601.9 million (13.7%) on the year. Imports amounted to EUR 22 797.8 million (45.4% of GDP), up by 15.8% year-on-year in 2016. According to preliminary data, foreign direct investment in the country went up by EUR 96.6 million in October 2017, compared to a decrease of EUR 112.7 million in October 2016. Direct investment abroad also increased – by EUR 19.1 million (up 12.5 million in October 2016).<\/span><\/p>\n The external trade balance of goods and services in the third quarter of 2017 was positive. Export of goods and services increased by 4.1% and import of goods and services rose by 5.1%.<\/span><\/p>\n Prices<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n Price decrease was recorded in communications – by 2.4%. The prices rose by 9.0% in dwellings, by 10.1% in production and distribution of electricity and thermal energy and gas, by 9.1% in mining and by 3.1% in manufacturing. Managers expect that the sales prices in industry will remain unchanged in the next quarter as well.<\/span><\/p>\n