In two years, from 2010 to 2012, the number of wholesale trade workers fell by nearly 40%, according to an analysis prepared by the Bulgarian Industrial Association (BIA).

The number of people working in the wholesale sector falls from 270 286 in 2010 to 169 795 in 2012, according to BIA statistics, as cited by investor.bg.

The number of wholesale trade workers fell from 270 286 in 2010 to 169 795 in 2012, according to BIA statistics, as cited by investor.bg.

The dynamics of the number of companies in Bulgaria to a large extent determines the dynamics of employee numbers, according to the experts. The tangible decrease in the number of companies results in a decrease in employee numbers, according to the BIA.

The analysis highlights discrepancies between workers' skills and the needs of the companies in the trade sector.

The BIA points out that the incorrect estimation of skills is often at the basis of problems experienced by people looking for a job. Employees are often unaware of the value of their knowledge and skills and their usefulness for the business sector. At the other extreme are officials, who overestimate their competences, the BIA notes.

In 2012, the biggest share of employed persons was in the age group 35 – 44 (52 500 people, or around 31% of the total number of employed persons), followed by the people aged 25-34 (51 797 people, or around 30% of the employed persons). The smallest share was of people aged 65+, less than 2%, as in 2011.

The number of companies functioning in the sector increased in 2010 on an annual basis.

According to the BIA, the upward trend is observed among companies in most EU Member States, according to the survey.

In the EU, a total of 1 787 000 companies functioned in the sector in the EU in 2010, accounting for 28.72% of the companies in the trade sector.

In Bulgaria, the number of companies grew by slightly over 1% - from a rate of 26 279 in 2009 to a total of 26 566 in 2010.

As regards added value, Bulgaria was 22nd with a share of 0.35% of the added value generated in the sector in the EU.

The only wholesale trade subsector to register increases both in the number of companies and employee numbers in the period 2008 – 2010 was wholesale trade through intermediaries. In this subsector, the number of employees increased from a total of 15 686 in 2008 to 100 554 in 2010.

We need your support so Novinite.com can keep delivering news and information about Bulgaria! Thank you!