SOFIA, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- Salaries and employment in Bulgaria grew year-on-year in the fourth quarter of 2018, according to preliminary data released by the country's National Statistical Institute (NSI) here on Wednesday.
Compared to the fourth quarter of 2017, the gross average monthly wages and salaries rose by 6.9 percent to 1,171 BGN (some 676 U.S. dollars), with figures reaching 7.4 percent and 1,222 BGN in the public sector and 6.8 percent and 1,154 BGN in the private sector, the NSI said.
The highest growth rates were recorded in information and communication (13.9 percent), mining and quarrying (10.1 percent) and manufacturing (9.4 percent), the NSI said.
Employees in information and communication sector earned also the highest wages and salaries, 2,788 BGN per month, while the lowest figures were recorded in accommodation and food service activities -- 705 BGN.
Meanwhile, NSI said the number of employees under labor contract at the end of December 2018 increased by 14,600, or 0.6 percent year-on-year.
The highest increase in absolute figures was observed in economic activities "Construction" -- 6,800 people, "Information and communication" -- 4,400, and "Human health and social work activities" -- 3,100.
At the same time, the highest decrease was registered in "Manufacturing" -- by 2,300 people.
