According to data presented by the Confederation of Independent Trade Unions in Bulgaria (CITUB) in the first quarter of 2026, the required monthly cost of living varies by household size. For a three-person household, comprising two adults and one child under 14, the necessary income is set at EUR 1,473. For a single employed person, the required income is EUR 818.
The cost of living income demonstrated a quarterly increase of 2.3%, marking a year-on-year rise of 5.2%. CITUB noted that the required income for a three-person household has increased by EUR 73 over the past year, while the increase for a single person was EUR 40. Despite the rise in required income, the union reported that 58.3% of employees earn an income below the calculated cost of living wage.
However, CITUB identified a positive trend, noting that the total number of people in this under-insured category is decreasing annually, attributed to overall income growth over the last 12 months. By the close of 2025, Bulgaria’s income levels reached 68% of the EU average. Furthermore, 12.2% of all full-time employees are insured at the minimum wage level.
Regarding necessities, food prices continue to rise annually by 6.2%. For one employed person, the estimated monthly expense for food and catering services is EUR
Topics: #income #person #eur
