Bulgaria's economic growth slowed to near-stagnation levels in the third quarter, preliminary data from the National Statistical Institute showed Thursday.

Gross domestic product (GDP) edged up 0.1 percent sequentially in the third quarter, weaker than the 0.3 percent gain recorded in the second quarter. In the first quarter, GDP remained unchanged quarter-over-quarter.

Final domestic consumption expenditure rose at markedly slower rate of 0.4 percent than 2.4 percent in the second quarter. Public consumption expenditure, meanwhile, decreased 0.5 percent sequentially after rising 1.2 percent in the previous quarter.

Gross fixed capital formation was higher by 0.4 percent compared to the preceding quarter, when in grew 1.5 percent.

Compared to the third quarter of 2011, GDP increased 0.5 percent during the three months ended September, as it did in the previous two quarters, data showed.

RTTNews