Bulgaria: 182,000 Lost Jobs in 2009

In late December 2009 the total number of employees in Bulgaria decreased by 182 thousand persons or 7.5% over the end of December 2008 as announced by the country’s statistical office. The largest decreases in the number of employed workers were registered in the sectors of manufacturing (71 thousand persons), construction (35 thousand persons) and trade (including technical support vehicles and personal property, 22 thousand people). However, in percentage terms the reduction of employees was higher in construction (-18.1% of total employment) and ‘other activities’ (-12.9%). Moreover, in the last quarter of 2009 the average monthly wage in the country increased by 10.6% (nominal terms) compared with the corresponding quarter of 2008.

The largest increases in average salary were registered in the sectors of property management (24.3%) and construction (20.6%) were decreases in earnings were recorded in the field of public administration (-0.6%). In the fourth quarter of 2009 the highest average monthly wages were registered in the production and distribution of electricity and heat (Lev 1358), financial and insurance activities (Lev 1324) and mining (Lev 1015), while the lower classes were recorded in hotel management and catering (386 lev), administrative and ancillary activities (440 lev) and the rural economy (including forests and fisheries, 457 lev).