According to data presented by the Confederation of Independent Trade Unions in Bulgaria (CITUB) at a press conference on Monday, the required cost of living income for various household compositions was detailed for the first quarter of 2026. For a three-person household, consisting of two adults and one child up to 14 years old, the necessary monthly income is set at EUR 1,473. A single employed person requires an income of EUR 818.
CITUB reported that the cost of living income saw a quarterly increase of 2.3%, marking a 5.2% rise year-on-year. The union indicated that over the past year, the required income increased by EUR 73 for the three-person family and EUR 40 for a single employed person. The report highlighted a significant concern regarding employee wages, noting that over 58% of workers earn an income below the established cost of living wage.
However, CITUB observed a positive trend, stating that the number of employees in this category has decreased year-on-year, which the union attributes to overall income growth over the last 12 months. By the close of 2025, Bulgaria’s income levels reached 68% of the EU average. Regarding specific expenditures, the income required monthly for food and catering for one employed person is EUR 329.
Annual increases were noted across food prices, particularly for vegetables, fruit, bread, meat, and eggs. Furthermore, data revealed that employees earning at the minimum wage for full-time work constitute 12.2% of all full-time workers.
Topics: #income #person #eur
