Bulgaria: Selected Issues and Statistical Appendix

This paper discusses Bulgaria’s prospects for converging to the living standards of the more advanced members of the European Union (EU). The unfavorable economic environment of the early 1990s and the economic crisis in 1996–97 hurt Bulgaria’s output, employment, and investment. Following the crisis, structural reforms and a sound macroeconomic framework set the stage for a sustained recovery. The structure of the Bulgaria economy has shifted markedly over the last decade, and investment has become the main engine of growth.

Abstract

This paper discusses Bulgaria’s prospects for converging to the living standards of the more advanced members of the European Union (EU). The unfavorable economic environment of the early 1990s and the economic crisis in 1996–97 hurt Bulgaria’s output, employment, and investment. Following the crisis, structural reforms and a sound macroeconomic framework set the stage for a sustained recovery. The structure of the Bulgaria economy has shifted markedly over the last decade, and investment has become the main engine of growth.

Table A1.

Bulgaria: National Accounts 2001–05

(NCEA, based on NACE, Rev. 1)

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Source: National Statistical Institute.

Data for 2005 are preliminary.

Incl. hotels and restaurants; real estate, renting and business activities, health and education; public administration and defense.

Table A2.

Bulgaria: Gross Value Added in the Industrial Sector, 2001–05

(NCEA, based on NACE, Rev. 1)

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Source: National Statistical Institute.

Data for 2005 are preliminary.

Table A3.

Bulgaria: Gross Value Added in the Services Sector, 2001–05

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Source: National Statistical Institute

Data for 2005 are preliminary.

Including repairs of motor vehicles and personal and household appliances.

Includes: housing and municipal services; business services; science; education, culture, and art; health and social security, sports, recreation and tourism; finance, credit and insurance; government; and NPISNs.

Table A4.

Bulgaria: Gross Output of Services by Branches, 2001–05

(NCEA, based on NACE, Rev.l)

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Source: National Statistical Institute.

Data for 2005 are preliminary.

Table A5.

Bulgaria: Total and Private Agricultural Production, 2001–05 1/

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Source: National Statistical Institute.

According to National Classification of Economic Activities.

Data for 2005 are preliminary.

Table A6.

Bulgaria: National Income Accounts, 2001–05

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Source: National Statistical Institute.

Data for 2005 are preliminary.

Net taxes on production include: subsidies (-), other taxes on production (+)-- other subsidies on production (-)

Net taxes on products include: - taxes on products (+)-- subsidies on products (-)

Table A7.

Bulgaria: Acquisition of Tangible Fixed Assets, 2001–05

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Source: National Statistical Institute.

Data for 2005 are preliminary.

Table A8.

Bulgaria: Average Monthly Earnings in the Public and Private Sector, 2001-05

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Source: National Statistical Institute.

Data for 2005 are preliminary.

Table A9.

Bulgaria: Labor Force, Employment, and Unemployment, 2001–05

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Sources: National Statistical Institute; and National Employment Agency.

End of period.

Average annual data from the labor force survey; data for 2001 and 2002 are calculated as simple average of the data from the surveys carried out in Mach, June, September and December.

Labor force as a proportion of the population aged 15 and over.

For 2001 - recalculated with 2001 Population Census data.

Table A10.

Bulgaria: Price Indices of Food, Non-Food, and Services, 2001–05

(1995=100)

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Source: National Statistical Institute.