site.btaDecember 2022 Unemployment in Bulgaria at All-Time Low for This Month

Unemployment in Bulgaria in December 2022 reached an all-time low for this month of 4.7%, the Employment Agency said Monday. A total of 9,938 people were hired, including 154 in the group of pensioners, students and employed who found a job through the job centres.

The largest share of new hires was in the processing industry (18.1%), followed by trade (16.8%), the hospitality industry (12.6%), state government (6.4%), health care and social services (6.4%) and construction (5.1%).

The number of registered jobless people reached 153,944, which is 8,513 more than in November 2022. Newly registered jobless totalled 26,413, which is 2,669 more than in November.

A total of 1,770 jobless people in high-risk groups were hired under subsidized employment programmes. 179 enrolled in subsidized training programmes and 416 finished training they started earlier in 2022.

The vacancies on the primary labour market totalled 5,542 in December. The largest share were in the processing industry (20.5%), followed by state government (16.6%); the hospitality industry (11.6%), trade (11.2%), education (8.5%) and administration and support service activities (4.8%). 

Statistics shows that demand for workers in December was highest for the position of: carers; personal service providers; shop assistants; sanitation workers; workers in the mining and processing industry, construction and transport; machine operators; metal workers, machine builders and craftspeople; drivers; and teachers.

Unemployment stood at 4.4% in November.