Podcast in English

Smilen Valov

Over 1 million is the number of inactive persons on the Bulgarian labor market

There are over one million inactive persons on the Bulgarian labour market. They don't study, don't work and are not registered with the labour offices. This "army" has huge untapped potential, National Employment Agency Director Smilen Valov said...

published on 5/16/24 8:49 AM

EC: Inflation in Bulgaria is expected to be 3.1% in 2024

According to the European Commission's spring economic forecast for this year, inflation in Bulgaria is expected to reach 3.1 % in 2024 and 2.6 % in 2025 . The anticipated downtrend in external prices is expected to limit inflation in both energy and..

published on 5/15/24 3:13 PM

BNB: Deposits up to BGN 1,000 most common, number of millionaires growing

In March 2024, 1,518 people in Bulgaria had deposits of more than BGN 1 million, while in March 2023, 1,277 Bulgarians had such deposits, according to the latest BNB data.  Deposits between BGN 200 thousand and BGN 500 thousand grew the most..

published on 5/14/24 3:56 PM

Bulgaria's GDP growth accelerates in the first quarter of 2024

In the first quarter of 2024, the country’s real GDP growth is expected to accelerate, which is a prerequisite for similar annual dynamics, the Bulgarian National Bank said in its regular economic review. The GDP growth is mainly due to the..

published on 5/14/24 9:38 AM

May 13 is Tax Freedom Day in 2024

The Institute for Market Economics has reported that it took 134 days for working Bulgarians to pay their debts to the treasury. This day is almost always in the middle of May, economist Lachezar Bogdanov told BNR. According to..

published on 5/13/24 9:58 AM

Survey: Almost half of Bulgarians sceptical about euro adoption

47% of Bulgarians disagree with the statement that Bulgaria's entry into the euro area will boost the Bulgarian economy and raise their living standards. This is the result of a national survey conducted by the Market Links agency between 27 April and..

published on 5/10/24 10:39 AM

OECD expects inflation in Bulgaria to slow from 9.5% in 2023 to 3.0% in 2024

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) forecasts an acceleration in Bulgaria's economic growth from 1.8% in 2023 to 2.5% in 2024 and to 2.9% in 2025 as public investment increases along with EU funds. OECD expects inflation..

published on 5/2/24 5:42 PM

Zero VAT on flour and bread extended until end of 2024

MPs have agreed to extend the 0% VAT on bread and flour, which was due to expire on June 30, until the end of 2024. Under the GERB proposal, traders will be allowed to add a maximum of 15% profit margin on bread, but the proposal is limited to the most..

published on 4/30/24 6:09 PM

The price of natural gas is expected to fall in May

Bulgargaz expects the price of natural gas next month to be 5 to 6% lower as compared to April. During an open meeting at the Energy and Water Regulatory Commission, the initially proposed price of EUR29.12 per megawatt-hour was reduced to EUR28.36. The..

published on 4/29/24 12:44 PM
Bulgarian National Bank building

EUR 102 million in new debt will probably be taken out in mid-May

200 million Leva (over EUR 102 million) of new debt is expected to be taken out on 13 May this year, according to the Bulgarian National Bank website. This is the date on which an auction has been announced for 6-month treasury bonds with an annual..

published on 4/27/24 4:24 PM