National Statistical Institute

Bulgaria has experienced a significant decline in the number of students enrolled in secondary schools over the past two decades.

In August, 733,000 Bulgarians stayed at hotels, motels, and campsites within the country, while another 500,000 traveled abroad during the same period, according to the National Statistical Institute's (NSI) report on tourism and accommodation revenues for the peak holiday month of the year.

In Bulgaria, producer prices in August saw a 1.5% increase compared to the same month last year, according to data from the National Statistical Institute. The mining industry experienced the largest price growth, rising by 9.1%, while prices in electricity, heat, and gas production and distribution increased by 7.7%.

The steady rise in housing prices in Bulgaria is no longer surprising, but what is noteworthy is a shift in the cities experiencing the fastest increases. Traditionally led by cities like Sofia, Varna, Burgas, or Plovdiv, Ruse has now unexpectedly jumped to the forefront in terms of price growth.

In August, approximately 190,000 Bulgarians vacationed in Greece, making it the most popular travel destination for Bulgarians. This represents a 54% increase in tourist traffic compared to the same month last year.

In 2023, Bulgaria's exports totaled 86.9 billion leva, reflecting a decline of 6.5% compared to the previous year. The National Statistical Institute reports that the most significant growth in exports occurred in January, with an 18% increase, while the steepest decline was seen in June, dropping by 15.5%.

In August 2024, Bulgaria experienced a monthly inflation rate of 0.1%, while the annual inflation compared to August 2023 stood at 2.1%, according to data from the National Statistical Institute (NSI).

Starting from January 1, 2025, the minimum salary for military personnel in Bulgaria will be set at 2,300 leva (1175 euros). This change follows the recent amendments to the Law on Defense and the Armed Forces of the Republic of Bulgaria, which were officially published in issue 38 of the State Gazette.

According to data from the National Statistical Institute, food represents the largest share of expenses for Bulgarian tourists, both domestically and internationally. For trips within Bulgaria, more than 40% of the travel budget is allocated to food, while this figure is 34.3% for travel abroad.

The ice cream industry in Bulgaria is facing a significant decline, with production dropping between 60 and 70% over the past six years. Eurostat data reveals that in 2018, Bulgaria produced 29.6 million liters of ice cream, marking the highest output ever.