EMPLOYEES UNDER LABOUR CONTRACT AND GROSS AVERAGE WAGES AND SALARIES, FIRST QUARTER OF 2023

The number of employees under labour contract at the end of March 2023 increased by 47.5 thousand, or 2.1%, as compared to the end of December 2022 and reached 2.31 million according to the preliminary data of the National Statistical Institute (NSI). The highest increase was observed in economic activities: ‘Human health and social work activities’ - by 7.1%, ‘Accommodation and food service activities’ - by 4.7%, and ‘Construction’ - by 4.3%. Decrease of the number of employees by 0.2% was recorded in economic activity ‘Public administration and defence; compulsory social security’.

In the first quarter of 2023, in comparison with the fourth quarter of 2022, the average monthly wages and salaries increased by 0.2% and reached 1 882 BGN. The highest increase in wages and salaries was reported in ‘Transportation and storage’ - by 6.1%, ‘Mining and quarrying’ - by 5.6%, in ‘Administrative and support service activities’ - by 5.3%, and in ‘Financial and insurance activities’ - by 4.2%.