The current minimum monthly wage of 1,077 Leva (or 550.66 EUR) can buy the small consumer basket of goods and services in Bulgaria 9.7 times over. As of 1 January next year the minimum monthly wage will go up to 1,213 Leva (EUR 620.20) and will be able to buy the small consumer basket of goods and services 10.9 times – provided prices remain at their current level, the Confederation of Independent Trade Unions in Bulgaria says for 24 Chasa daily.

Calculations show that the current minimum monthly wage in the country can buy 409 loaves of bread, as of 1 January next year their number will go up to 461. Even though that is a slight improvement of the situation, the purchasing power of the minimum wage in Bulgaria remains the lowest in the EU even though the absolute cost of the products from the small consumer basket in the country are the cheapest.

If the aim of the government is to raise the living standards in Bulgaria up to an average European level, then the minimum wage must be adequate. This can be achieved if it is tested regularly – every three months – compared to its purchasing power. At this time the size of the minimum monthly wage planned for 2026 does not cover the costs of one working person living alone, which is 1,526 Leva (EUR 780.23), the Confederation of Independent Trade Unions in Bulgaria says.

Editing by Miglena Ivanova
Translated and posted by Milena Daynova
Photo: knsb-bg.org