In the first quarter of 2013 in comparison with the fourth quarter of 2012 the average monthly wages and salaries in Bulgaria decreased by 3.1% down to BGN 778.

The average monthly wages and salaries of the employees under labor contract in January was BGN 773, in February – BGN 766 and in March 2013 – BGN 796.

The flash data of the National Statistical Institute (NSI) was released Friday.

The highest decrease in wages and salaries was reported in "arts, entertainment and recreation" - 17.9%, in "education" - 10.1% and in "professional, scientific and technical activities" - 7.2%.

Compared to the first quarter of 2012, the average monthly wages and salaries in the first quarter of 2013 rose by 4.3%. The highest growth rates were recorded in "agriculture, forestry and fishing" - 21.7%, in "education" - 9.2% and in "public administration and defense; compulsory social security" - 6.5%.

The economic activities with the highest wages and salaries in the first quarter of 2013 were: "information and communication" – BGN 1 822, "electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply" – BGN 1 578, "financial and insurance activities" – BGN 1 447.

The lowest wages and salaries were recorded in: "accommodation and food service activities" – BGN 523, "administrative and support service activities" – BGN 526, and "other services" – BGN 555.

In comparison with a year earlier the average monthly wages and salaries in the public sector grew by 5.8%, while in the private sector - by 3.9%.

At the end of March 2013 the number of employees under labor contract increased by 10.5 thousands or 0.5% as compared to the end of December 2012, and reached 2.23 million. The highest increase was observed in economic activities "administrative and support service activities" - 5.7% and in "agriculture, forestry and fishing"- 3.8%.

The highest decrease of employees was recorded in "accommodation and food service activities" - 2.3% and in "construction" - 2.2%.

In the structure of employees by economic activities, the biggest relative share of employees was in "manufacturing" - 21.8% and in "wholesale and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles" - 17.2%.

At the end of March 2013, as compared to March 2012, the number of employees under labor contract declined by 24.9 thousands or 1.1%. The highest decrease in absolute figures was observed in economic activities "manufacturing" - 13.3 thousands and in "accommodation and food service activities" - 9.8 thousands.

In percentages the highest decrease was in "accommodation and food service activities" - 9.2% and in "construction" - by 5.6%.

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