The average monthly salary in the first quarter of 2012 increased by 8.9% year on year, while the number of employees under labor contracts declined by only 2.1%, according to preliminary data of the Bulgarian National Statistical Institute (NSI).

The major contributor to the salary growth was the private sector, which registered an increase of 11.1% on the year, as compared to an increase of 3.6% in the public sector.

According to NSI data, the average monthly salary in the country was BGN 720 in January 2012, BGN 719 in February and BGN 754 in March.

The biggest annual salary growth of 18.7% was registered in the "information and communication" sector, followed by the "professional, scientific and technical activities" with 18.3%.

The highest average monthly salary was in the "information and communication" sector – BGN 1742, followed by "electricity, gas, steam and conditioning supply" – BGN 1582 and "financial and insurance activities" – BGN 1394.

The lowest average monthly salaries were registered in the "accommodation and food service activities" sector – BGN 475, the "administrative and support service activities" - BGN 485 and "agriculture, forestry and fishing" – BGN 530.

At the end of March, the number employees under labor contracts was 2.1 million, down by 1.3% from December 2011 and down by 2.1% compared to the first quarter of 2011.

The highest year-on-year decrease in absolute figures was registered in the "manufacturing" sector – 15.4 thousand, in the "wholesale and retail trade" – 10.5 thousand and in "construction" – 8.5 thousand.

In terms of percentages, the highest decrease was in the "real estate activities" sector – 11.9%, the "construction" sector – 6.5% and the "agriculture, forestry and fishing" sector – 5.6%.

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