Trade Unions: Cost of living for a family of three in Bulgaria is BGN 2,615 per month

BGN 2,615 is needed to support two adults with one child under the age of 14, according to data of Confederation of Independent Trade Unions in Bulgaria (CITUB) for June 2024.

For a working person, living alone, the monthly income needed is BGN 1,453. The monthly cost of food for 1 working person is 572 BGN.

For the first time in 10 years, a minimum reduction of BGN 1 in subsistence on a quarterly basis was recorded. From June last year to June this year, the income needed to support a family of 3 increased by BGN 91 and for a working person by BGN 51.

62% of those working fall short of the living wage. Around 30% of the employed receive a salary of up to BGN 1,000.

On a quarterly basis, the prices of some goods remained unchanged or even fell, but because of the high prices last year, the prices remaining at the same level has not had an impact on the cost of living.

According to the CITUB trade union, prices in recent years have converged towards the EU average. However, the rate of increase of the minimum wage in the country is not sufficient to cover the accumulated inflation.