In August the assessments of general business climate indicator in most of presented kinds of activities are at a similar level as compared to the ones presented in July, although it is higher in manufacturing along with information and communication, while lower in accommodation and food service activities. In all areas, except for retail trade, the indicator is below the long-term mean.

In July 2023 retail sales at constant prices were by 4.0% lower than the year before (against an increase of 2.0% in July 2022). Compared with June 2023 an increase by 1.9% in retail sales was recorded.

According to preliminary data construction and assembly production (in constant prices) carried out domestically by construction enterprises employing more than 9 persons was in July 2023 by 1.1% higher than in the same period in 2022 (an increase of 4.1% in the corresponding period of 2022) and by 6.9% lower compared to June 2023 (a decrease of 6.5% in the corresponding period of 2022).

In the first seven months of 2023, there were less dwellings completed than the year before. The number of dwellings for which permits have been granted or which have been registered with a construction project as well as dwellings in which construction has begun also decreased.

Procurement prices of basic agricultural products decreased in July 2023 in comparison with the previous month (by 2.0%) as well as while compared to the corresponding period of the last year (by 11.8%).

In July 2023, the average paid employment in the enterprise sector compared with July 2022 was higher by 0.1% y/y and amounted to 6 513.7 thousand full-time equivalent employees. Compared to the previous month, the average paid employment remained at a similar level.

According to preliminary data, the prices of sold production of industry in July 2023 decreased compared to June 2023 by 0.7% as well as compared to that recorded in the corresponding month of the previous year by 1.7%.

In July 2023, sold production of industry was by 2.7% lower than in July 2022, when an increase was recorded by 7.1% as compared to the corresponding period of the previous year, whereas in comparison with June 2023, it decreased by 8.5%. In the period January-July of 2023, sold production of industry was by 1.9% lower than in the corresponding period of 2022, which saw an increase by 12.9% as compared to the corresponding period of 2021.