Economy, jobs and prices in Yugoiztochen, Bulgaria: official figures
GDP per person was 22,600 purchasing power standards (PPS) in 2024, 57% of the EU average; 2nd highest of 6 regions in Bulgaria. PPS adjust for price differences between countries.
How big is the economy of Yugoiztochen?
The regional economy produced €13.3 billion of output (GDP at market prices) in 2024, 12.7% of Bulgaria's GDP.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyWhat is the unemployment rate in Yugoiztochen?
The unemployment rate (age 15 to 74) was 4.6% in 2025, against 3.5% for Bulgaria and 6.0% across the EU; 2nd highest of 6 regions in Bulgaria.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyWhat is youth unemployment in Yugoiztochen?
Youth unemployment (age 15 to 24) was 16.3% in 2025, against 13.1% for Bulgaria; 2nd highest of 4 regions in Bulgaria.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyHow much does Yugoiztochen spend on research and development?
Spending on research and development came to 0.26% of GDP in 2024 (0.77% nationally).
Source: Eurostat · saved copyWhat is the average salary in the South-East region of Bulgaria?
Employees in the Yugoiztochen (South-East) region earned an average of 22,544 leva in 2024 (about 1,879 leva a month), 81% of the national average of 27,898 leva and 3rd highest of 6 statistical regions.
Source: National Statistical Institute of Bulgaria (NSI) · saved copyWhich jobs pay most in the South-East region of Bulgaria?
In Yugoiztochen (South-East) the best-paid sector in 2024 was electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply at 40,418 leva a year, and the lowest-paid was other service activities at 15,661 leva.
Source: National Statistical Institute of Bulgaria (NSI) · saved copyWhat is the GDP per capita of the South-East region of Bulgaria?
Gross domestic product per person in Yugoiztochen (South-East) was 27,273 leva in 2024, 86% of the national figure; industry produced 44.7% of its gross value added and services 52.3%.
Source: National Statistical Institute of Bulgaria (NSI) · saved copyHow much foreign investment does the South-East region of Bulgaria have?
Foreign direct investment in non-financial enterprises in Yugoiztochen (South-East) stood at 3,290 million euro at the end of 2024, or 3,454 euro per resident, 2nd highest of 6 statistical regions (national average 5,267 euro).
Source: National Statistical Institute of Bulgaria (NSI) · saved copyHow many companies are there in the South-East region of Bulgaria?
There were 67,051 non-financial enterprises in Yugoiztochen (South-East) in 2024 (70 per 1,000 residents, national 73), employing 277,669 people and reporting net sales of 52,896 million leva.
Source: National Statistical Institute of Bulgaria (NSI) · saved copyWhat is the unemployment rate in the South-East region of Bulgaria?
The registered unemployment level in the Yugoiztochen (South-East) region averaged 5.2% in 2024 (20,614 people on the labour office register), 2nd lowest of 6 statistical regions; the national level was 5.2%.
Source: National Statistical Institute of Bulgaria (NSI) · saved copyHow many hotels are there in the South-East region of Bulgaria?
The Yugoiztochen (South-East) region had 1,148 accommodation establishments with 150,307 bed-places in 2024, and they welcomed 2,425,786 overnight visitors.
Source: National Statistical Institute of Bulgaria (NSI) · saved copyHow many people in Yugoiztochen are long-term unemployed?
Long-term unemployment (people out of work for a year or more) stood at 1.6% of the labour force in 2025 (Bulgaria: 1.5%; EU: 1.9%); 3rd lowest of 6 statistical regions in Bulgaria. In 2015 it was 5.6%.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyWhat is the unemployment rate for women in Yugoiztochen?
The unemployment rate for women in Yugoiztochen was 5.1% in 2025 (Bulgaria: 3.4%; EU: 6.2%); 2nd highest of 6 statistical regions in Bulgaria. In 2015 it was 10.2%.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyHow many women in Yugoiztochen are in work?
69.1% of women aged 20 to 64 were in work in 2025 (Bulgaria: 73.2%; EU: 71.3%); 2nd lowest of 6 statistical regions in Bulgaria. In 2015 it was 59.6%.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyIs the economy of Yugoiztochen growing?
In real terms the economy of Yugoiztochen grew by -13.2% in 2024 (gross value added), compared with 2.8% nationally; the lowest of 6 statistical regions in Bulgaria. In 2014 it was 2.4%.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyHow many cars are there in Yugoiztochen?
Residents of Yugoiztochen owned 450 cars per 1,000 people in 2024, compared with 484 nationally; the lowest of 6 statistical regions in Bulgaria. In 2014 it was 373.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyWhat is the average salary in Yugoiztochen?
Average compensation per employee (pay plus employer social contributions) was €7,570 in 2023, against €9,184 across Bulgaria; 3rd highest of 6 statistical regions in Bulgaria.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyHow many tourists visit Yugoiztochen?
Visitors spent 10.9 million nights in tourist accommodation in 2025, 66% of them by visitors from abroad.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyWhat is the main industry in Yugoiztochen?
The largest part of the economy of Yugoiztochen in 2024 was industry (manufacturing, mining and energy), at 40.6% of gross value added, followed by trade, transport, hospitality and communications (20.9%).
Source: Eurostat · saved copyHow industrial is Yugoiztochen?
Factories, mines and energy produced 40.6% of the value added in Yugoiztochen in 2024, against 19.4% for Bulgaria.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyHow fast is the economy of Yugoiztochen growing?
Gross value added rose from €4.8 billion in 2015 to €11.6 billion in 2024 in current prices, an increase of 139% before inflation.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyWhat jobs do people do in Yugoiztochen?
Of the 470,750 jobs located in Yugoiztochen in 2024, 20% in public services, education, health and other services, 21% in industry and 19.9% in farming, forestry and fishing.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyAre jobs growing in Yugoiztochen?
The number of people working in Yugoiztochen rose by 1.6% between 2015 and 2024, to 470,750.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyMore figures
- The Yugoiztochen (South-East) region had an average of 284,589 employees on labour or civil-service contracts in 2024; 22.2% 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 Yugoiztochen (South-East) rose from 13,754 leva in 2019 to 27,273 leva in 2024, a gain of 98% (Bulgaria: 76%). Source: National Statistical Institute of Bulgaria (NSI) · saved copy
- Businesses and public bodies in Yugoiztochen (South-East) spent 3,862 million leva on acquiring tangible fixed assets in 2024, 4,055 leva per resident against 5,793 leva nationally; the private sector accounted for 81%. Source: National Statistical Institute of Bulgaria (NSI) · saved copy
- Of the registered unemployed in Yugoiztochen (South-East) in 2024, 10.9% were aged 29 or under and 13.3% 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 Yugoiztochen (South-East) earned 889 million leva from 10,698,714 nights spent in 2024, about 83 leva per night against 87 leva across Bulgaria. Source: National Statistical Institute of Bulgaria (NSI) · saved copy
How Yugoiztochen compares with other statistical regions
Registered unemployment level (%) (2024)
Yugoiztochen ranks 5 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)
Yugoiztochen ranks 3 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)
Yugoiztochen ranks 3 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)
Yugoiztochen ranks 2 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)
Yugoiztochen ranks 3 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)
Yugoiztochen ranks 4 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)
Yugoiztochen ranks 2 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)
Yugoiztochen ranks 5 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)
Yugoiztochen ranks 6 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)
Yugoiztochen ranks 6 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)
Yugoiztochen ranks 3 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)
Yugoiztochen ranks 1 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)
Yugoiztochen ranks 1 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)
Yugoiztochen ranks 6 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)
Yugoiztochen ranks 5 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 Yugoiztochen: overview · health · education and schools · poverty and living standards · government and politics · Bulgaria
Sources
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