Economy, jobs and prices in Yuzhen tsentralen, Bulgaria: official figures
GDP per person was 17,300 purchasing power standards (PPS) in 2024, 43% of the EU average; 5th highest of 6 regions in Bulgaria. PPS adjust for price differences between countries.
How big is the economy of Yuzhen tsentralen?
The regional economy produced €14.0 billion of output (GDP at market prices) in 2024, 13.3% of Bulgaria's GDP.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyWhat is the unemployment rate in Yuzhen tsentralen?
The unemployment rate (age 15 to 74) was 3.2% in 2025, against 3.5% for Bulgaria and 6.0% across the EU; 5th highest of 6 regions in Bulgaria.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyWhat is youth unemployment in Yuzhen tsentralen?
Youth unemployment (age 15 to 24) was 14.6% in 2025, against 13.1% for Bulgaria; 3rd highest of 4 regions in Bulgaria.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyHow much does Yuzhen tsentralen spend on research and development?
Spending on research and development came to 0.45% of GDP in 2024 (0.77% nationally).
Source: Eurostat · saved copyWhat is the average salary in the South-Central region of Bulgaria?
The average annual wage in the Yuzhen tsentralen (South-Central) region was 22,060 leva in 2024, roughly 1,838 leva a month; that is 3rd lowest of 6 statistical regions and 79% of the Bulgarian average (27,898 leva).
Source: National Statistical Institute of Bulgaria (NSI) · saved copyWhich jobs pay most in the South-Central region of Bulgaria?
In Yuzhen tsentralen (South-Central) the best-paid sector in 2024 was information and communication at 49,895 leva a year, and the lowest-paid was other service activities at 14,854 leva.
Source: National Statistical Institute of Bulgaria (NSI) · saved copyWhat is the GDP per capita of the South-Central region of Bulgaria?
Gross domestic product per person in Yuzhen tsentralen (South-Central) was 20,948 leva in 2024, 66% of the national figure; industry produced 30.6% of its gross value added and services 65.0%.
Source: National Statistical Institute of Bulgaria (NSI) · saved copyHow much foreign investment does the South-Central region of Bulgaria have?
Foreign direct investment in non-financial enterprises in Yuzhen tsentralen (South-Central) stood at 3,827 million euro at the end of 2024, or 2,929 euro per resident, 3rd 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 South-Central region of Bulgaria?
There were 86,939 non-financial enterprises in Yuzhen tsentralen (South-Central) in 2024 (67 per 1,000 residents, national 73), employing 389,375 people and reporting net sales of 68,098 million leva.
Source: National Statistical Institute of Bulgaria (NSI) · saved copyWhat is the unemployment rate in the South-Central region of Bulgaria?
Labour offices in the Yuzhen tsentralen (South-Central) region had 32,150 registered unemployed people on average in 2024, a registered unemployment level of 5.9% against 5.2% nationally, 3rd highest of 6 statistical regions.
Source: National Statistical Institute of Bulgaria (NSI) · saved copyHow many hotels are there in the South-Central region of Bulgaria?
The Yuzhen tsentralen (South-Central) region had 894 accommodation establishments with 40,833 bed-places in 2024, and they welcomed 1,655,651 overnight visitors.
Source: National Statistical Institute of Bulgaria (NSI) · saved copyHow many people in Yuzhen tsentralen are long-term unemployed?
In 2025, 1.0% of the labour force in Yuzhen tsentralen had been unemployed for 12 months or more (Bulgaria: 1.5%; EU: 1.9%); 2nd lowest of 6 statistical regions in Bulgaria. In 2015 it was 5.5%.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyWhat is the unemployment rate for women in Yuzhen tsentralen?
The unemployment rate for women in Yuzhen tsentralen was 2.3% in 2025 (Bulgaria: 3.4%; EU: 6.2%); 2nd lowest of 6 statistical regions in Bulgaria. In 2015 it was 8.9%.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyHow many women in Yuzhen tsentralen are in work?
68.5% of women aged 20 to 64 were in work in 2025 (Bulgaria: 73.2%; EU: 71.3%); the lowest of 6 statistical regions in Bulgaria. In 2015 it was 61.6%.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyIs the economy of Yuzhen tsentralen growing?
In real terms the economy of Yuzhen tsentralen grew by 11.0% in 2024 (gross value added), compared with 2.8% nationally; the highest of 6 statistical regions in Bulgaria. In 2014 it was -1.1%.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyHow many cars are there in Yuzhen tsentralen?
There were 457 passenger cars per 1,000 people in 2024, compared with 484 nationally; 2nd lowest of 6 statistical regions in Bulgaria. In 2014 it was 372.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyWhat is the average salary in Yuzhen tsentralen?
Employers paid an average of €7,458 per employee in 2023, counting wages, salaries and employer social contributions, against €9,184 across Bulgaria; the lowest of 6 statistical regions in Bulgaria.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyHow many tourists visit Yuzhen tsentralen?
Hotels, campsites and other tourist accommodation recorded 4.0 million nights in 2025, 19% of them by visitors from abroad.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyWhat is the main industry in Yuzhen tsentralen?
The largest part of the economy of Yuzhen tsentralen in 2024 was trade, transport, hospitality and communications, at 25.9% of gross value added, followed by industry (manufacturing, mining and energy) (25.6%).
Source: Eurostat · saved copyHow industrial is Yuzhen tsentralen?
Industry (manufacturing, mining and energy) made up 25.6% of output in 2024, against 19.4% for Bulgaria.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyHow fast is the economy of Yuzhen tsentralen growing?
Gross value added rose from €5.6 billion in 2015 to €12.2 billion in 2024 in current prices, an increase of 118% before inflation.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyWhat jobs do people do in Yuzhen tsentralen?
Of the 656,370 jobs located in Yuzhen tsentralen in 2024, 21% in public services, education, health and other services, 25% in industry and 17.9% in farming, forestry and fishing.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyAre jobs growing in Yuzhen tsentralen?
The number of people working in Yuzhen tsentralen rose by 0.3% between 2015 and 2024, to 656,370.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyMore figures
- The Yuzhen tsentralen (South-Central) region had an average of 403,340 employees on labour or civil-service contracts in 2024; 29.9% 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 Yuzhen tsentralen (South-Central) rose from 12,789 leva in 2019 to 20,948 leva in 2024, a gain of 64% (Bulgaria: 76%). Source: National Statistical Institute of Bulgaria (NSI) · saved copy
- Businesses and public bodies in Yuzhen tsentralen (South-Central) spent 5,274 million leva on acquiring tangible fixed assets in 2024, 4,037 leva per resident against 5,793 leva nationally; the private sector accounted for 87%. Source: National Statistical Institute of Bulgaria (NSI) · saved copy
- Of the registered unemployed in Yuzhen tsentralen (South-Central) in 2024, 10.7% were aged 29 or under and 20.2% 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 Yuzhen tsentralen (South-Central) earned 284 million leva from 3,721,725 nights spent in 2024, about 76 leva per night against 87 leva across Bulgaria. Source: National Statistical Institute of Bulgaria (NSI) · saved copy
How Yuzhen tsentralen compares with other statistical regions
Registered unemployment level (%) (2024)
Yuzhen tsentralen ranks 3 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)
Yuzhen tsentralen ranks 4 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)
Yuzhen tsentralen ranks 4 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)
Yuzhen tsentralen ranks 4 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)
Yuzhen tsentralen ranks 4 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)
Yuzhen tsentralen ranks 5 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)
Yuzhen tsentralen ranks 5 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)
Yuzhen tsentralen ranks 6 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)
Yuzhen tsentralen ranks 1 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)
Yuzhen tsentralen ranks 5 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)
Yuzhen tsentralen ranks 6 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)
Yuzhen tsentralen ranks 4 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)
Yuzhen tsentralen ranks 3 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)
Yuzhen tsentralen ranks 3 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)
Yuzhen tsentralen ranks 3 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 Yuzhen 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…)
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- 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…)
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