News

The latest regional GDP figures indicate a normalisation after the various anomalies in energy, agriculture and tourism in previous years. Sofia is regaining its 43% share of the national economy, but the fastest growth is recorded in relatively underdeveloped regions. However, regional inequalities remain large, and in the absence of reforms, convergence seems increasingly distant in the future.

The gross domestic product per capita in Lovech district is slowing down. Poverty is decreasing, but remains relatively high. The labor market in the district is further deteriorating due to rising unemployment and a decline in employment. Business and investment activity are increasing, but remain relatively weak. The absorption of European funds is close to the national average. The quality of the road surface remains high. Local taxes in the district are among the lowest in the country. Transparency in the work of local government bodies is assessed well. Due to the strongly negative natural increase, Lovech is among the districts with a high level of aging. Student results are relatively low, and vocational education does not meet the demand in the economy. The number of general practitioners remains higher than the national average. Beds in multi-profile hospitals remain few. The detection rate of crimes is relatively high. The volume of generated household waste is not significant, but the share of waste submitted for treatment and recycling remains extremely small. Cultural life is not particularly intense.

The gross domestic product per capita in Kyustendil district is growing, but significantly slower than the average. The labor market is developing well. Employment is increasing, and unemployment is decreasing. Investment activity in Kyustendil district is among the weakest in the country. The density of the road and railway network remains high. The average amount of local taxes in the municipalities of Kyustendil district is close to the average. The assessment of the transparency of the work of local administrations is increasing, but remains low. Kyustendil is among the districts with the most aging population.

Kardzhali is among the districts with the worst performance in measuring the income and standard of living of the population.

The gross domestic product per capita in Dobrich district continues to grow, but its value remains relatively low. Relative poverty in the district remains high. The low education of the workforce remains a challenge for the labor market. Business and investment activity in the district is experiencing significant growth. The road surface is of exceptional quality. The level of local taxes in the municipalities of the district is relatively low. The assessment of the transparency in the work of local administrations remains high.

The gross domestic product, salaries and pensions in Gabrovo district continue to grow, and the poverty level remains relatively low. The share of the working-age population has been decreasing for another year. Business and investment activity in the district are high. Gabrovo remains among the leaders with the most absorbed European funds per capita. Despite the high density of the road network, the share of motorways and first-class roads is relatively small. The level of local taxes is around the national average. The self-assessments of the administrations for the development of e-government are high.

The gross domestic product per capita in Vratsa district continues to grow. The average annual gross salary of employees is the third highest in the country.