Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2025 All Rights Reserved

1.6 million Bulgarians work for wages below the cost of living

Photo: BGNES

BGN 1,454 (EUR 738) per month is needed for a working person to be self-sufficient and live according to Bulgarian standards. For a family of three, consisting of two adults and one child, the amount is BGN 2,616 (EUR 1,329), according to the Institute for Social Research of the Confederation of Independent Trade Unions of Bulgaria (CITUB). 

Still, a third, or more than 830 000, of the country's employees work for a salary of up to BGN 1 000 (EUR 500). More than 1.6 million people work below the living wage, according to union president Plamen Dimitrov. According to these indicators, Bulgaria is still at the lowest level in the EU. The minimum wage is 50% of the living wage, half of what it should be," Dimitrov said.



Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

Yellow code for strong wind in 16 eastern and southwestern regions

On Wednesday , the lowest temperatures will be between 3 and 8°C. In the regions with strong wind it will be up to 10-12°C. In Sofia it will be around 4°C. In the western parts of the Danube Plain and the Upper Thracian Plain it will..

published on 11/25/25 7:50 PM

Drones to aid disaster and fire response in Burgas

Following a series of fires in the Burgas area last summer, including one that destroyed homes in a local villa district, the Burgas municipality has acquired high-tech drones equipped with thermal cameras, night vision, and 3D imaging . The two..

published on 11/25/25 7:01 PM

Bulgarian police break up migrant smuggling network

Illegal migrants from Syria, Iraq and Iran have been discovered in Sofia, and ten members of an organised criminal group have been arrested , Deputy City Prosecutor Desislava Petrova told reporters. Two of those arrested have been charged as the..

published on 11/25/25 6:48 PM