Bulgaria's economic growth rate has increased significantly,  National Statistical Institute (NSI) data concerning the GDP shows. The growth rate for the first six months of the year, compared to the same period in 2004 is 6.2 per cent. Similar levels have not been observed since 1998. For the first six months the average production of each Bulgarian citizen was 1555 dollars. This increase had come mainly from the improved work of the industrial sector, NSI experts said. The only decrease occurred in the field of electric and thermal power.
The production of companies has increased by 8.8 per cent compared to 2004. Services also experienced an increase of 6.9 per cent. Economic growth has also led to increased consumption. For the first six months of 2005 investment has increased by 13.4 per cent. At the same time, however, the agriculture sector is experiencing a continuous production decrease. Its share in the Bulgarian economy has decreased to 6.8 per cent. Several years ago the agriculture sector had a 20 per cent share of the national economy, Trud newspaper reported.