site.btaGDP Goes Up by 3.5% in First Quarter of 2018, Y/Y

Sofia, May 15 (BTA) - Bulgaria's gross domestic product (GDP) in the first quarter of 2018 increased by 3.5 per cent compared with the first quarter of 2016 and by 0.8 per cent compared with the fourth quarter of 2017, according to seasonally adjusted data published by the National Statistical Institute on Tuesday.

Flash estimates put nominal GDP at 21.241 billion leva in the first quarter of 2018 while the gross value added stood at 18.484 billion leva.

Final consumption accounted for the largest share (85.8 per cent) of GDP. Gross fixed capital formation was 19.8 per cent of GDP. The foreign trade balance was in negative territory.

The gross value added in the first quarter of 2018 went up by 0.7 per cent compared with the fourth quarter of 2017, and by 3.2 per cent compared with the first quarter of 2017.

Final consumption increased by 2.4 per cent in the first quarter of 2018. Gross capital formation grew by 7.2 per cent in the first quarter of 2018 compared with the like period in 2017. Exports and imports of goods and services went up by 4.6 per cent and 6.8 per cent respectively.