Bulgaria's Average Wage Up 8.8% in Q3 2012 Y/Y

In the third quarter of 2012, compared with the second quarter of 2012, the average monthly wages and salaries in Bulgaria decreased by 0.5% and were BGN 754.

The average monthly wage and salary of employees under labor contract in July was BGN 750, in August - BGN 744, and in September 2012 - BGN 768.

The flash data of the National Statistical Institute (NSI) from the end of September 2012 was released Thursday.

The highest decrease in wages and salaries was reported in "financial and insurance activities" - 7.0%, "other service activities" - 4.8% and "real estate activities" - 2.8%, while the highest increase was registered in "agriculture, forestry and fishing" - 12.2% and in "mining and quarrying" - 7.2%.

Compared to the third quarter of 2011, the average monthly wages and salaries in the third quarter of 2012 rose by 8.8%. The highest growth rates were recorded in the following economic activities "agriculture, forestry and fishing" - 19.1%, "wholesale and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles" - 18.3% and "other services" - 18.1%.

The economic activities with the highest wages and salaries in the third quarter of 2012 were: "information and communication" – BGN 1 750, "electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply" - 1 522, "financial and insurance activities" – BGN 1 426.

The lowest wages and salaries were recorded in: "administrative and support service activities" – BGN 494, "accommodation and food service activities" – BGN 506, and "other services" – BGN 574.

In comparison with a year earlier, the average monthly wages and salaries in the public sector grew by 5.0%, while in private sector - by 10.4%.

In the third quarter of 2012, the number of employees under labor contract decreased by 22.4 thousands or 1.0% as compared to the end of June 2012, and reached 2.13 million. The highest decrease was observed in the following economic activities "accommodation and food service activities" - 17.7%, "real estate activities"- 4.9% and "arts, entertainment and recreation" - by 4.4%.

The highest increase of employees was recorded in "administrative and support service activities" and "education"- 1.2%.

In the structure of employees by economic activities, the biggest relative share of employees was in "manufacturing" - 22.2% and "wholesale and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles" - 17.9%.

At the end of September 2012, as compared to September 2011, the number of employees under labor contract declined by 59.2 thousands or 2.7%.

The highest decrease in absolute figures was observed in the following economic activities "manufacturing" - 23.0 thousands and "accommodation and food service activities" - 10.7 thousands. In percentages the highest decrease was in "accommodation and food service activities" - 10.3% and "agriculture, forestry and fishing" - 8.7%.