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According to the preliminary data of the National Statistical Institute (NSI) at the end of March 2020 the number of employees under labour contract decreased by 25.1 thousand or 1.1% as compared to the end of December 2019 and reached 2.26 million. The highest decrease was observed in economic activities: ‘Accommodation and food service activities’ - 19.8%, ‘Construction’ - 3.4% and in ‘Other service activities’ - by 2.0%. The highest increase of the number of employees was recorded in ‘Information and communication’ - by 5.5%.
At the end of March 2020 as compared to March 2019 the number of employees under labour contract decreased by 54.0 thousand or 2.3%.
The average monthly wages and salaries of the employees under labour contract in January was 1 323 BGN, in February - 1 308 BGN and in March 2020 - 1 321 BGN.
In the first quarter of 2020 in comparison with the fourth quarter of 2019 the average monthly wages and salaries increased by 0.3% getting 1 317 BGN. The highest increase in wages and salaries was reported in ‘Real estate activities’ - by 12.1% and in ‘Information and communication’- by 4.7%. The highest decrease was in the economic activities ‘Arts, entertainment and recreation’ - by 7.8%, ‘Other service activities’ - by 7.6% and in ‘Agriculture, forestry and fishing’ - by 7.1%.
Compared to the first quarter of 2019 the average monthly wages and salaries in the first quarter of 2020 rose by 9.0%.
The economic activities with the highest wages and salaries in the first quarter of 2020 were:
‘Information and communication’ - 3 236 BGN
‘Financial and insurance activities’ - 2 120 BGN
‘Electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply’ - 2 031 BGN.
The lowest wages and salaries were recorded in:
‘Accommodation and food service activities’ - 737 BGN
‘Other service activities’ - 891 BGN
‘Agriculture, forestry and fishing’ - 937 BGN.
In comparison with a year earlier the average monthly wages and salaries in public sector grew by 10.6% while in private sector - by 8.6%.