Bulgarian Men Face Higher Unemployment Rates than Women in 2013

A total of 46% of Bulgarians aged 15 years and above have been employed in 2013, according to Bulgaria's National Statistical Institute.

The total number of employed persons in 2013 was 2 934.9 thousand or 46.9% of the active population. The number of unemployed in 2013 was 436.3 thousand, of whom 249.8 thousand - male and 186.5 thousand-female. The unemployment rate increased by 0.6% compared to 2012 and reached 12.9%. The unemployment rate among male population was higher in 2013 recording an increase by 0.4% and for female by 1.0%, reaching 13.9 and 11.8% respectively.

Industrial Production Index increased by 2.3% compared to the same month of 2013 (preliminary data). A decrease by 1.5% was registered in electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply. According to the preliminary data, the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) at current prices in the fourth quarter of 2013 amounted to BGN 21463 million and the GDP per person amounted to BGN 2954. In the fourth quarter of 2013, the GDP increased by 1.2% compared to the same quarter of the previous year.

According to the NSI business inquiries in February 2014 the industrial confidence indicator increased by 0.6% compared to January.

In January 2013 the export increased by 23.6% year-on-year. Imports of goods (FOB) in January 2014 amounted to EUR 1907.8M, increasing by EUR 97.7M (5.4%) compared to January 2013 (EUR 1810M). In January 2013 the imports increased by 6.3% on a year-on-year basis.

Direct investment abroad increased in January 2014 by EUR 12.3M compared to an increase of EUR 4.4M in January 2013. According to preliminary data, the foreign direct investments in Bulgaria were positive in January 2014 and amounted to EUR58.3M (0.1% of GDP), compared to EUR 70.8M (0.2% of GDP) in January 2013.

The external balance (exports-imports of goods and services) in January 2014 was negative according to preliminary data and amounted to BGN 836.7M or BGN 585.2M more than in January 2013.

The volume of loans to Non-financial corporations, households and Non-profit institutions serving households (NPISHs) in February 2014 amounted to BGN 53.757B (66.7% of the projected GDP for 2014). In February 2014 the loans to Non-financial corporations increased by 1% on annual basis (0.6% decrease in January 2014) and at the end of month amounted to BGN 35.219B (43.7% of GDP).

Loans to Households and NPISHs were BGN 18.538B (23% of GDP) at the end of February 2014. An increase of 0.04% compared to the same month of 2013 was registered (0.2% annual decline in January 2014).

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