Average Wage in Bulgaria - Up by Nearly 10%

According to the preliminary data of the National Statistical Institute (NSI) at the end of June 2017 the number of employees under labour contract increased by 63.4 thousand or 2.8% as compared to the end of March 2017 and reached 2.34 million.

The highest increase was observed in seasonal economic activities: 'Accommodation and food service activities' - 44.9%, 'Arts, entertainment and recreation' - 11.9% and 'Agriculture, forestry and fishing' - 7.3%. The highest decrease of the number of employees was recorded in 'Education' - by 3.0%. In the structure of employees by economic activities the biggest relative share of employees was in 'Manufacturing' - 21.9% and 'Wholesale and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles' - 16.8%.

At the end of June 2017 as compared to June 2016 the number of employees under labour contract decreased by 15.9 thousand or 0.7%. The highest decrease in absolute figures was observed in economic activities 'Agriculture, forestry and fishing' - 9.7 thousand, 'Accommodation and food service activities' - 8.3 thousand and 'Wholesale and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles' - 4.6 thousand. In percentages the highest decrease was also in 'Agriculture, forestry and fishing' - by 11.6% and 'Accommodation and food service activities' - by 5.3%.

The highest increase at the end of June 2017 as compared to June 2016 in absolute figures was registered in economic activity 'Information and communication' - by 4.1 thousand and in percentages - in 'Arts, entertainment and recreation'- by 9.0%.

The average monthly wages and salaries of the employees under labour contract in April was 1 060 BGN, in May - 1 035 BGN and in June 2017 - 1 027 BGN.

In the second quarter of 2017 in comparison with...