According to the preliminary seasonally adjusted data in March 2022, the turnover in ‘Retail trade, except motor vehicles and motorcycles’ at constant prices increased by 1.6% compared to the previous month. The calendar-adjusted turnover rose by 9.6% compared to the same month of the previous year.
According to the preliminary data, in March 2022, the Industrial Production Index, seasonally adjusted, increased by 5.0% compared to February 2022.
In March 2022, the calendar adjusted Industrial Production Index rose by 19.0% in comparison with the same month of 2021.
According to preliminary data of the National Statistical Institute in the first quarter of 2022, the number of newly built residential buildings was 1 206, and the newly built dwellings in them were 4 299. Compared to the first quarter of 2021, the buildings were by 254 more (or by 26.7%), and the newly built dwellings in them decreased by 174, or by 3.9%.
In April 2022, the survey shows an increase in pessimism in consumers’ assessments and expectations in comparison with January. The total consumer confidence indicator decreases by 4.9 percentage points compared to its level 3 months ago, which is due to the decreased confidence among both rural and urban inhabitants - by 5.7 and 4.6 percentage points, respectively.
In the first quarter of 2022, the municipal authorities issued building permits for the construction of 1 850 residential buildings with 9 489 dwellings, 18 administrative buildings/offices and 1 071 other buildings. The construction of 1 269 residential buildings with 7 657 dwellings, 11 administrative buildings/offices and 572 other buildings was started.
As of 31 December 2021, the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria is administratively divided into 28 administrative districts and 265 municipalities, within which there are 3 160 individual mayoralties. Тhere were 5 257 settlements in the Republic of Bulgaria, of which 257 towns and 5 000 villages, while the settlement formations were 165 (including 8 of national and 157 of local importance).
Тhe smallest administrative district by area is Sofia (stolitsa), which at the same time is the biggest by population, with 1 307 439 inhabitants, making it the only district with a population above 1 000 000. The smallest administrative district by population is Vidin, with 78 814 inhabitants.
The number of detached crèches and groups in kindergartens functioning in the country as of 31.12.2021 was 833, with 32 856 places in them.
The number of children accommodated in crèches at the end of the year was 29 724. 15 347 of them were boys, and 14 377 - girls.
The total number of places in crèches per 100 children aged up to 3 years as of 31.12.2021 was 18.2, and the coverage of children brought up in crèches - 16.5 per 100 children aged up to 3 years.
In February 2022, compared to January 2022, a decrease is reported for the production of solid fuels - by 8.7%, liquefied petroleum gases - by 25.0%, unleaded motor gasoline - by 15.8%, transport diesel - by 12.0% and electricity - by 13.2%. No change in the production of natural gas.
In February 2022, compared to January 2022, a decrease is reported for the deliveries of solid fuels - by 8.4%, liquefied petroleum gases - by 9.4%, unleaded motor gasoline - by 17.1%, transport diesel - by 1.7%, natural gas - by 17.8% and electricity - by 15.0%.
In March 2022, in the conditions of the continuing epidemic situation, the number of trips of Bulgarian residents abroad was 538.3 thousand, or by 114.1% above the registered in March 2021.
In March 2022, the number of arrivals of visitors from abroad to Bulgaria was 627.8 thousand, or by 118.1% above in comparison with March 2021, as the transit was 46.1% (289.6 thousand) of all visits of foreigners in the country.
The Total Producer Price Index in March 2022 increased by 4.3% compared to the previous month and by 36.1% compared to the same month of 2021. The Producer Price Index on the Domestic Market in March 2022 rose by 4.3% compared to the previous month; compared to the same month of 2021, the domestic prices increased by 45.2%.