Economy, jobs and prices in Severen tsentralen, Bulgaria: official figures
GDP per person was 17,300 purchasing power standards (PPS) in 2024, 43% of the EU average; 4th highest of 6 regions in Bulgaria. PPS adjust for price differences between countries.
How big is the economy of Severen tsentralen?
The regional economy produced €7.2 billion of output (GDP at market prices) in 2024, 6.9% of Bulgaria's GDP.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyWhat is the unemployment rate in Severen tsentralen?
The unemployment rate (age 15 to 74) was 4.0% in 2025, against 3.5% for Bulgaria and 6.0% across the EU; 3rd highest of 6 regions in Bulgaria.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyWhat is youth unemployment in Severen tsentralen?
Youth unemployment (age 15 to 24) was 20.3% in 2018, against 12.7% for Bulgaria; 2nd highest of 6 regions in Bulgaria.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyHow much does Severen tsentralen spend on research and development?
Spending on research and development came to 0.31% of GDP in 2024 (0.77% nationally).
Source: Eurostat · saved copyWhat is the average salary in the North-Central region of Bulgaria?
The average annual wage in the Severen tsentralen (North-Central) region was 21,801 leva in 2024, roughly 1,817 leva a month; that is the lowest of 6 statistical regions and 78% of the Bulgarian average (27,898 leva).
Source: National Statistical Institute of Bulgaria (NSI) · saved copyWhich jobs pay most in the North-Central region of Bulgaria?
In Severen tsentralen (North-Central) the best-paid sector in 2024 was electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply at 30,627 leva a year, and the lowest-paid was accommodation and food service activities at 14,417 leva.
Source: National Statistical Institute of Bulgaria (NSI) · saved copyWhat is the GDP per capita of the North-Central region of Bulgaria?
Gross domestic product per person in Severen tsentralen (North-Central) was 20,879 leva in 2024, 66% of the national figure; industry produced 26.3% of its gross value added and services 67.3%.
Source: National Statistical Institute of Bulgaria (NSI) · saved copyHow much foreign investment does the North-Central region of Bulgaria have?
Foreign direct investment in non-financial enterprises in Severen tsentralen (North-Central) stood at 1,753 million euro at the end of 2024, or 2,604 euro per resident, 2nd lowest of 6 statistical regions (national average 5,267 euro).
Source: National Statistical Institute of Bulgaria (NSI) · saved copyHow many companies are there in the North-Central region of Bulgaria?
There were 41,832 non-financial enterprises in Severen tsentralen (North-Central) in 2024 (62 per 1,000 residents, national 73), employing 192,945 people and reporting net sales of 36,669 million leva.
Source: National Statistical Institute of Bulgaria (NSI) · saved copyWhat is the unemployment rate in the North-Central region of Bulgaria?
Labour offices in the Severen tsentralen (North-Central) region had 18,652 registered unemployed people on average in 2024, a registered unemployment level of 6.5% against 5.2% nationally, 2nd highest of 6 statistical regions.
Source: National Statistical Institute of Bulgaria (NSI) · saved copyHow many hotels are there in the North-Central region of Bulgaria?
The Severen tsentralen (North-Central) region had 385 accommodation establishments with 14,520 bed-places in 2024, and they welcomed 472,210 overnight visitors.
Source: National Statistical Institute of Bulgaria (NSI) · saved copyHow many people in Severen tsentralen are long-term unemployed?
In 2025, 2.1% of the labour force in Severen tsentralen had been unemployed for 12 months or more, compared with 1.5% nationally and 1.9% in the EU; 2nd highest of 6 statistical regions in Bulgaria. In 2015 it was 6.8%.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyWhat is the unemployment rate for women in Severen tsentralen?
The unemployment rate for women in Severen tsentralen was 3.8% in 2025, compared with 3.4% nationally and 6.2% in the EU; 3rd lowest of 6 statistical regions in Bulgaria. In 2015 it was 9.8%.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyHow many women in Severen tsentralen are in work?
The employment rate for women aged 20 to 64 reached 71.5% in 2025, compared with 73.2% nationally and 71.3% in the EU; 3rd highest of 6 statistical regions in Bulgaria. In 2015 it was 61.1%.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyIs the economy of Severen tsentralen growing?
In real terms the economy of Severen tsentralen grew by 7.7% in 2024 (gross value added), compared with 2.8% nationally; 2nd highest of 6 statistical regions in Bulgaria. In 2014 it was 2.3%.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyHow many cars are there in Severen tsentralen?
There were 492 passenger cars per 1,000 people in 2024, compared with 484 nationally; 2nd highest of 6 statistical regions in Bulgaria. In 2014 it was 451.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyWhat is the average salary in Severen tsentralen?
Average compensation per employee (pay plus employer social contributions) was €7,484 in 2023, against €9,184 across Bulgaria; 2nd lowest of 6 statistical regions in Bulgaria.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyHow many tourists visit Severen tsentralen?
Visitors spent 862,260 nights in tourist accommodation in 2025, 21% of them by visitors from abroad.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyWhat is the main industry in Severen tsentralen?
The largest part of the economy of Severen tsentralen in 2024 was public administration, education, health and other services, at 25.9% of gross value added, followed by trade, transport, hospitality and communications (25.6%).
Source: Eurostat · saved copyHow industrial is Severen tsentralen?
Factories, mines and energy produced 21.8% of the value added in Severen tsentralen in 2024, against 19.4% for Bulgaria.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyHow fast is the economy of Severen tsentralen growing?
Gross value added rose from €3.1 billion in 2015 to €6.3 billion in 2024 in current prices, an increase of 101% before inflation.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyWhat jobs do people do in Severen tsentralen?
Of the 335,910 jobs located in Severen tsentralen in 2024, 22% in public services, education, health and other services, 25% in industry and 19.6% in farming, forestry and fishing.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyAre jobs growing in Severen tsentralen?
The number of people working in Severen tsentralen fell by 8.1% between 2015 and 2024, to 335,910.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyMore figures
- The Severen tsentralen (North-Central) region had an average of 210,622 employees on labour or civil-service contracts in 2024; 29.7% of them worked in manufacturing (national share 19.1%). Source: National Statistical Institute of Bulgaria (NSI) · saved copy
- Measured in current prices, GDP per person in Severen tsentralen (North-Central) rose from 12,349 leva in 2019 to 20,879 leva in 2024, a gain of 69% (Bulgaria: 76%). Source: National Statistical Institute of Bulgaria (NSI) · saved copy
- Businesses and public bodies in Severen tsentralen (North-Central) spent 2,455 million leva on acquiring tangible fixed assets in 2024, 3,646 leva per resident against 5,793 leva nationally; the private sector accounted for 88%. Source: National Statistical Institute of Bulgaria (NSI) · saved copy
- Of the registered unemployed in Severen tsentralen (North-Central) in 2024, 10.4% were aged 29 or under and 24.3% had been registered for more than a year (national shares 11.1% and 20.4%). Source: National Statistical Institute of Bulgaria (NSI) · saved copy
- Accommodation in Severen tsentralen (North-Central) earned 50.2 million leva from 811,480 nights spent in 2024, about 62 leva per night against 87 leva across Bulgaria. Source: National Statistical Institute of Bulgaria (NSI) · saved copy
How Severen tsentralen compares with other statistical regions
Registered unemployment level (%) (2024)
Severen tsentralen ranks 2 of 6, highest first. Average annual number of unemployed registered at labour offices as a share of the labour force
| Rank | Region | Registered unemployment level (%) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Severozapaden | 9.5% |
| 2 | Severen tsentralen | 6.5% |
| 3 | Yuzhen tsentralen | 5.9% |
| 4 | Severoiztochen | 5.6% |
| 5 | Yugoiztochen | 5.2% |
| 6 | Yugozapaden | 3.2% |
Accommodation revenue per night spent (leva) (2024)
Severen tsentralen ranks 6 of 6, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Accommodation revenue per night spent (leva) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Yugozapaden | 104 |
| 2 | Severoiztochen | 92 |
| 3 | Yugoiztochen | 83 |
| 4 | Yuzhen tsentralen | 76 |
| 5 | Severozapaden | 64 |
| 6 | Severen tsentralen | 62 |
Average annual wage of employees (leva) (2024)
Severen tsentralen ranks 6 of 6, highest first. Employees under labour and civil-service contracts
| Rank | Region | Average annual wage of employees (leva) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Yugozapaden | 35,117 |
| 2 | Severoiztochen | 24,147 |
| 3 | Yugoiztochen | 22,544 |
| 4 | Yuzhen tsentralen | 22,060 |
| 5 | Severozapaden | 21,981 |
| 6 | Severen tsentralen | 21,801 |
Foreign direct investment per resident (euro) (2024)
Severen tsentralen ranks 5 of 6, highest first. Stock in non-financial enterprises at 31 December 2024
| Rank | Region | Foreign direct investment per resident (euro) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Yugozapaden | 10,770 |
| 2 | Yugoiztochen | 3,454 |
| 3 | Severoiztochen | 3,025 |
| 4 | Yuzhen tsentralen | 2,929 |
| 5 | Severen tsentralen | 2,604 |
| 6 | Severozapaden | 1,137 |
Non-financial enterprises per 1,000 residents (2024)
Severen tsentralen ranks 5 of 6, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Non-financial enterprises per 1,000 residents |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Yugozapaden | 91 |
| 2 | Severoiztochen | 72 |
| 3 | Yugoiztochen | 70 |
| 4 | Yuzhen tsentralen | 67 |
| 5 | Severen tsentralen | 62 |
| 6 | Severozapaden | 50 |
Long-term unemployment (% of labour force) (2025)
Severen tsentralen ranks 2 of 6, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Long-term unemployment (% of labour force) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Severozapaden | 3.4% |
| 2 | Severen tsentralen | 2.1% |
| 3 | Severoiztochen | 1.8% |
| 4 | Yugoiztochen | 1.6% |
| 5 | Yuzhen tsentralen | 1.0% |
| 6 | Yugozapaden | 0.9% |
Unemployment rate, women (2025)
Severen tsentralen ranks 4 of 6, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Unemployment rate, women |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Severozapaden | 6.8% |
| 2 | Yugoiztochen | 5.1% |
| 3 | Severoiztochen | 4.4% |
| 4 | Severen tsentralen | 3.8% |
| 5 | Yuzhen tsentralen | 2.3% |
| 6 | Yugozapaden | 1.8% |
Employment rate, women aged 20-64 (2025)
Severen tsentralen ranks 3 of 6, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Employment rate, women aged 20-64 |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Yugozapaden | 79.8% |
| 2 | Severoiztochen | 72.4% |
| 3 | Severen tsentralen | 71.5% |
| 4 | Severozapaden | 70.0% |
| 5 | Yugoiztochen | 69.1% |
| 6 | Yuzhen tsentralen | 68.5% |
Real growth in gross value added (2024)
Severen tsentralen ranks 2 of 6, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Real growth in gross value added |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Yuzhen tsentralen | 11.0% |
| 2 | Severen tsentralen | 7.7% |
| 3 | Yugozapaden | 4.5% |
| 4 | Severoiztochen | 3.6% |
| 5 | Severozapaden | -2.5% |
| 6 | Yugoiztochen | -13.2% |
Passenger cars per 1,000 people (2024)
Severen tsentralen ranks 2 of 6, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Passenger cars per 1,000 people |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Yugozapaden | 525 |
| 2 | Severen tsentralen | 492 |
| 3 | Severoiztochen | 472 |
| 4 | Severozapaden | 472 |
| 5 | Yuzhen tsentralen | 457 |
| 6 | Yugoiztochen | 450 |
Compensation per employee (euros) (2023)
Severen tsentralen ranks 5 of 6, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Compensation per employee (euros) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Yugozapaden | €11,324 |
| 2 | Severoiztochen | €8,071 |
| 3 | Yugoiztochen | €7,570 |
| 4 | Severozapaden | €7,507 |
| 5 | Severen tsentralen | €7,484 |
| 6 | Yuzhen tsentralen | €7,458 |
Nights spent in tourist accommodation (2025)
Severen tsentralen ranks 5 of 6, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Nights spent in tourist accommodation |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Yugoiztochen | 10.9 million |
| 2 | Severoiztochen | 7.0 million |
| 3 | Yugozapaden | 5.3 million |
| 4 | Yuzhen tsentralen | 4.0 million |
| 5 | Severen tsentralen | 862,260 |
| 6 | Severozapaden | 747,226 |
Share of output from industry (manufacturing, mining and energy) (2024)
Severen tsentralen ranks 4 of 6, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Share of output from industry (manufacturing, mining and energy) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Yugoiztochen | 40.6% |
| 2 | Severozapaden | 31.3% |
| 3 | Yuzhen tsentralen | 25.6% |
| 4 | Severen tsentralen | 21.8% |
| 5 | Severoiztochen | 16.4% |
| 6 | Yugozapaden | 11.3% |
Share of output from finance, property and business services (2024)
Severen tsentralen ranks 4 of 6, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Share of output from finance, property and business services |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Yugozapaden | 27.4% |
| 2 | Severoiztochen | 20.2% |
| 3 | Yuzhen tsentralen | 15.9% |
| 4 | Severen tsentralen | 15.8% |
| 5 | Severozapaden | 15.6% |
| 6 | Yugoiztochen | 14.0% |
Share of output from public administration, education, health and other services (2024)
Severen tsentralen ranks 2 of 6, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Share of output from public administration, education, health and other services |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Severozapaden | 27.6% |
| 2 | Severen tsentralen | 25.9% |
| 3 | Yuzhen tsentralen | 23.2% |
| 4 | Severoiztochen | 21.7% |
| 5 | Yugoiztochen | 17.4% |
| 6 | Yugozapaden | 15.5% |
More on Severen tsentralen: overview · health · education and schools · poverty and living standards · government and politics · Bulgaria
Sources
- Eurostat: Eurostat dataset nama_10r_2gdp: GDP per person (purchasing power standards), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 c21f724d14a6…)
- Eurostat: Eurostat dataset nama_10r_2gdp: GDP per person (euros), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 537f99167955…)
- Eurostat: Eurostat dataset nama_10r_2gdp: GDP (million euros), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 e3677c4e6d67…)
- Eurostat: Eurostat dataset lfst_r_lfu3rt: Unemployment rate (age 15-74), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 13f5037ce93a…)
- Eurostat: Eurostat dataset lfst_r_lfu3rt: Youth unemployment rate (age 15-24), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 83bb1aebc10b…)
- Eurostat: Eurostat dataset lfst_r_lfe2emprt: Employment rate (age 20-64), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 03191283bf5f…)
- Eurostat: Eurostat dataset rd_e_gerdreg: Research and development spending (% of GDP), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 36a9132b2284…)
- Eurostat: Eurostat dataset lfst_r_lfu3rt: Unemployment rates by sex, age, educational attainment level and NUTS 2 region, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 ac151d8a46d5…)
- Eurostat: Eurostat dataset lfst_r_lfe2emprt: Employment rates by sex, age and NUTS 2 region, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 51bfca80dc8b…)
- Eurostat: Eurostat dataset tran_r_vehst: Stock of vehicles by category and NUTS 2 region, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 5adf37bcb393…)
- Eurostat: Eurostat dataset nama_10r_2gvagr: Real growth rate of regional gross value added (GVA) at basic prices by NUTS 2 region, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 ba2c4bdc7c37…)
- Eurostat: Eurostat dataset nama_10r_3empers: Employment (thousand persons) by NUTS 3 region and industry, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 222a97c302d3…)
- Eurostat: Eurostat dataset nama_10r_3gva: Gross value added at basic prices by NUTS 3 region and industry, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 c656e8563bdf…)
- Eurostat: Eurostat dataset nama_10r_2coe: Compensation of employees by NUTS 2 region and industry, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 895d7cc9e826…)
- National Statistical Institute of Bulgaria (NSI): Regions, districts and municipalities in the Republic of Bulgaria 2024 (yearbook tables by statistical region, district and municipality), read 24 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 81cba27bb0cc…)
- Eurostat: Eurostat dataset tour_occ_nin2: Nights spent at tourist accommodation establishments by NUTS 2 region, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 06f6a82909c0…)
- Eurostat: Eurostat dataset lfst_r_lfu2ltu: Long-term unemployment (12 months and more) by NUTS 2 region, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 3d5d17a32863…)
Each saved copy is the file exactly as downloaded, kept so the figures can be checked even if the source changes. Report an error.