Bulgaria's annual inflation 2 times higher than EU average

In the month of November, annual inflation in Bulgaria has reached 4.6%, compared to November of 2009, according to data released by the National Statistics Institute (NSI). The inflation is largely attributed to the price increase of food, non-alcoholic beverages and fuels. The first two, forming 35% of the total consumption in the country, have gone up by 1.2% in November 2010, compared to October, 2010, and by 4.7% on annual basis. On monthly basis, in November 2010, fuels – electric power, water and electricity, are up 0.8%. In October, 2010, annual inflation was 3.9%.

Alcohol and cigarettes, forming 5% of the total consumption, have gone up the most on annual basis – 26.5%, attributed to the excise hike in the beginning of the year, and 0.1% on monthly basis.

In November, communications expenses are up 7.6% on annual basis; housing expenses are up 3.7%, but prices of shoes and clothing are going down. According to NSI, the harmonized inflation rate, which takes into account the consumption of foreigners in the country, is 4%, which is twice higher than the EU average on annual basis (2.3% for October). Bulgaria ranks fifth among the EU Member States with the highest annual inflation, after countries such as Greece, Hungary and Romania.

News source: Novinite.com link: article

Croatia could have more pensioners than workers in 2050

Croatia could have serious demographic problems in 50 years time if the current trend in population growth continues, data from the Central Bureau of Statistics show.The number of people in Croatia is declining year on year. Last year the country had 4.429 million inhabitants, 13,000 fewer than in 2005.

Should the trend in low birth rates and prolonged lifespans continue, in 50 years time Croatia could have more pensioners than the working population, the daily Jutarnji List writes.The statistical Croat gives birth to 1.4 children. In order to maintain the current population levels that number should be at least 2.1
The average Croatian citizen is 41.1 years old or seven years older than in 1971. The number of people over 65 makes up a fifth of the population. The number of children below 14 is decreasing every year and currently makes up only 14 per cent of the total.



News source: Croatiantiimes.com link: article

Expenses for Employment in Bulgaria Up by 8,2% Q2

Bulgarian employers expenses for employment have increased by 8,2% in the second quarter of 2010 in comparison to the same period last year, statistics showed. According to data from the National Statistics Institute on payment per hour to employees, the amount in the industry has increased by 5,6%, in the services – by 10,3% and in construction – by 7,9%.

The biggest increase of payment has been registered in the sector for creation and distribution of information and creative products and in the telecommunications – 30,7%. The smallest have been the increases of payment in the sectors connected to culture, sport and entertainment – 1,4%, and in administration – 4,3%.



News source: Novinite.com link: article