GUS reports December 2025 data showing wages grew 8.6% YoY, while employment decreased 0.7%, with construction and industrial production exceeding expectations.
Wages and Employment
Average wages in enterprises (with more than 9 employees) increased by 8.6% YoY in December 2025, while employment in enterprises decreased by 0.7% YoY, reported the Central Statistical Office (GUS).
“In December 2025, average employment in the enterprise sector was 0.1% lower than in November 2025 and 0.7% lower than a year earlier. The average monthly gross wage in the enterprise sector in December 2025 was 5.6% higher than in November 2025 and increased nominally by 8.6% compared to December 2024,” read the statement.
The market consensus had predicted a 6.9% YoY increase in wages and a 0.7% YoY decrease in employment.
Housing Construction
The number of residential buildings completed in 2025 increased by 4.3% YoY to 208,792, reported the Central Statistical Office (GUS). In December 2025 alone, the number of residential buildings completed increased by 15.3% YoY to 24,652, with a monthly increase of 27.6%.
The number of residential buildings intended for sale or rental completed in 2025 amounted to 134,149, representing a 7.6% YoY increase. In December alone, this number was 16,405, marking a 13.5% YoY increase and 20.4% MoM increase, also reported GUS.
“According to preliminary data, in 2025, 208.8 thousand residential buildings were completed, i.e. 4.3% more than in the same period of 2024. Developers delivered 134.1 thousand residential buildings – 7.6% more than the previous year, while individual investors delivered 67.6 thousand residential buildings, i.e. 2.8% less. Within these two forms of construction, 96.6% of all new residential buildings were completed. In other forms of construction, a total of 7 thousand residential buildings were completed,” read the statement.
The usable area of newly built residential buildings amounted to 18.2 million m2, which is 1.8% more than the previous year. The average size per dwelling reached 87 m2, also reported GUS.
GUS also indicated that in 2025, construction of 212.4 thousand residential buildings was started, which is 9.2% less than the previous year. Developers began construction on 129.7 thousand residential buildings (14.9% less than the previous year), while individual investors started 78.8 thousand (2.6% more). The combined share of these two forms of construction accounted for 98.1% of the total number of residential buildings. In other forms of construction, construction of 3.9 thousand residential buildings was started.
Construction Production
Construction and installation production (carried out by construction companies with more than 9 employees) increased by 4.5% YoY in December 2025, informed the Central Statistical Office (GUS). On a monthly basis, an increase of 36.2% was recorded.
“According to preliminary data, construction and installation production (at constant prices) carried out in the country in December 2025 was 4.5% higher compared to December 2024 and 36.2% higher compared to November 2025,” read the statement.
After eliminating the impact of seasonal factors, construction and installation production in December 2025 was 0.1% lower than in the same period of 2024 and 5.1% higher than in November 2025.
According to preliminary data in December 2025, prices of construction and installation production increased compared to December 2024 (by 3.6%) and compared to November 2025 (by 0.5%), also reported GUS.
The market consensus had predicted a 0.5% annual decrease in construction and installation production.
Industrial Production
Sold production of industrial enterprises increased by 7.3% YoY in December 2025, informed the Central Statistical Office (GUS). On a monthly basis, it decreased by 0.1%.
“In December 2025, sold production of industry was 7.3% higher than a year earlier (when a 0.2% increase was recorded), while compared to November 2025 it slightly decreased by 0.1%. In the January-December 2025 period, sold production of industry was 3.0% higher than in the same period of 2024 (when a 0.3% increase was recorded),” read the statement.
After eliminating the impact of seasonal factors, in December 2025, sold production of industry formed at a level 4.7% higher than in the same month of 2024 and 2.1% higher than in November 2025, also reported.
The market consensus had predicted a 2.9% annual increase in industrial production.
Producer Prices
Producer prices decreased by 2.5% YoY in December 2025, while on a monthly basis they decreased by 0.4%, reported the Central Statistical Office (GUS).
“According to preliminary data in December 2025, prices of sold industrial production decreased both compared to December 2024 (by 2.5%) and November 2025 (by 0.4%)” read the statement.
The market consensus had predicted a 2.2% annual decrease.
According to preliminary data in December 2025, prices of construction and installation production increased both compared to December 2024 (by 3.6%) and November 2025 (by 0.5%), also reported GUS.