According to data presented by the Confederation of Independent Trade Unions in Bulgaria (CITUB) on Monday, the required cost of living income for a three-person household (two adults and one child under 14) was established at EUR 1,473 for the first quarter of 2026. For a single employed person living alone, the necessary income stands at EUR 818. CITUB reported that the cost of living income saw a quarterly increase of 2.3% and a year-on-year rise of 5.2%.
Furthermore, the union noted that over the past year, the required income increased by EUR 73 for a three-person unit and by EUR 40 for a single person. Despite general increases, CITUB indicated that over half of all employees (58.3%) are currently insured at an income level below the established cost of living wage. However, the union noted a positive trend, reporting that the total number of people in this low-income bracket is declining year-on-year, attributed to overall income growth over the last twelve months.
By the close of 2025, Bulgaria’s income level reached 68% of the EU average. Regarding specific expenditures, food prices continue to rise annually by 6.2%. For one person, the estimated monthly expense for food and catering is EUR 329, with notable quarterly increases recorded for items such as vegetables, fruit, bread, meat, eggs, and coffee.
Data also showed that 12.2% of all full-time employees are insured at the minimum wage level.
Topics: #income #person #eur
The Confederation of Independent Trade Unions in Bulgaria (CITUB) reported on Monday that the estimated cost of living income for a three-person household, defined as two adults and one child under 14
What factors influenced the determination of the EUR 1,473 benchmark for a three-person household?