Bulgaria Labor Costs Register Wide Growth Variations

Bulgaria labor costs at the end of 2009 were up on average, but some sectors registered a fall compared with 2008. Photo by nsi.bg

Bulgaria National Statistics Institute (NSI) has published labor cost data, showing that hourly costs rose on average by 7,2% year on year.

Preliminary data for the final quarter of 2009 reveal that the highest growth rate - 25,1% - was in the construction sector. Other areas showing high levels of increase included administrative and support service activities (20,9%) and arts, entertainment and recreation (18.4%).

The lowest rises were in the information and communication fields (0,7%) and human health and social work activities (2,4%).

Certain sectors registered a decrease in labor costs year on year. Public administration and defense fell by 14%, and professional, scientific and technical activities saw a decrease of 4,3%.

Within the structure of total labor costs, wages and salaries rose by 8,9% compared with the previous year, and associated, non-wage costs rose by 0,2%.

The growth rate of the wages and salaries component ranged from -15,4% in public administration to +27,0% in the construction sector.

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