Situation of non-financial enterprises in the epidemic situation – February 2021

The National Statistical Institute of Bulgaria conducted short business survey amongst non-financial enterprises aiming to collect and present to the society and policy makers information on the economic effects from the declared state of emergency and the ensuing epidemic situation in the country due to COVID-19.

In February 2021, 34.1% of the responded non-financial enterprises declared a decrease in revenues from sales of goods and services compared to January 2021, 47.9% declared no change and 17.6% - an increas.

The breakdown by economic sectors showed that 53.1% of the non-financial enterprises in ‘Arts, entertainment and recreation, repair of household goods and other services’ had a decrease in revenues from sales of goods and services’, followed by ‘Construction’ - 38.4%, ‘Industry’ - 35.4% and ‘Wholesale and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles; transportation and storage; food service activities’ with 34.7%.

As regards the employees, 13.5% from the responding non-financial enterprises answered that they had to use ‘unpaid leave’ as a measure for reducing the effects from the state of emergency and the epidemic situation, followed by ‘paid leave’ - 13.3%, ‘Teleworking’ - 13.2% and ‘government subsidies’ - 10.0%.

In the following month 93.7% from the answered non-financial enterprises, expect that they will be able to continue their current activity, 2.1% expect to stop to perform economic activity temporary, while 1.9% expect to close down their business.