Bulgaria: cost of living

What is the poverty rate in Bulgaria?

21.2% of people in Bulgaria, 1,368.7 thousand, lived below the national poverty line in 2025, according to the National Statistical Institute (NSI). That was 0.5 percentage points lower than a year earlier. The poverty line was 866.67 leva a month per household member, 13.5% higher than the year before.

The line is relative: the NSI sets it at 60% of average net disposable income per equivalent unit, from the EU-SILC survey. Without pensions and other social transfers, the poverty rate would have been 45.4%. Among unemployed adults it was 55.1%, and among employed people aged 18 to 64 it was 11.8%.

Official sources: NSI: poverty and social inclusion indicators, 2025

What is the average household income in Bulgaria?

Average total income per household member in Bulgaria was 14,403 leva in 2025, 12.0% more than in 2024, according to the National Statistical Institute (NSI). In real terms, after taking inflation into account, income rose 9.7%. Wages and salaries made up 8,231 leva and pensions 4,224 leva.

The figures come from the household budget survey and are averages per person, so they include children and pensioners. Figures for 2025 are in leva, the currency used before Bulgaria adopted the euro in 2026. Income per household member has grown 2.8 times since 2016.

Official sources: NSI: household income, expenditure and consumption, 2025

Which prices are rising fastest in Bulgaria?

Transport prices in Bulgaria rose 3.7% in September 2026, the largest monthly rise, followed by education services (3.2%) and alcoholic drinks and tobacco (1.1%), according to the National Statistical Institute (NSI). Bread and bakery products rose 1.1%. Overall prices were 5.7% higher than a year earlier.

These are monthly changes by spending group in the consumer price index. Some changes are seasonal: education costs usually rise at the start of the school year, and recreation and holiday prices fall after summer. Over five years, from September 2021 to September 2026, consumer prices rose 42.4% in total.

Official sources: NSI: inflation and consumer price indices, September 2026

What is the inflation rate in Bulgaria?

4.6%: that is consumer price inflation in Bulgaria for 2025, according to the IMF. Since 2005 it has ranged from -1.4% (2014) to 15.3% (2022). Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 3.7%, and Bulgaria placed 12th highest of 48. World rank, highest first: 40th of 165.

How much do people in Bulgaria spend?

$11,851: that is household consumption per person in Bulgaria for 2025, according to the World Bank. No year since 2005 has been higher. Europe & Central Asia median: $11,266; Bulgaria is 21st highest of 44. Of 124 countries with 2025 data, 29th highest.

How many people in Bulgaria live on under $3 a day?

The World Bank puts the share of people living on less than $3.00 a day in Bulgaria at 1.0% in 2023. Its high point since 2006 was 2006, at 8.0%; its low point was 2020, at 0.7%. It is 8th highest of 34 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 0.4%. World rank, highest first: 28th of 59.

How many people in Bulgaria are poor?

In 2024, the share of people below the national poverty line in Bulgaria was 21.2%, according to the World Bank. Its high point since 2015 was 2019, at 23.8%; its low point was 2022, at 20.6%. It is 4th highest of 14 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 15.8%. World rank, highest first: 14th of 31.

What is Bulgaria's Gini coefficient?

In 2023, the Gini index in Bulgaria was 39.5, according to the World Bank. Since 2006 it has ranged from 33.6 (2008) to 41.3 (2018). It is 2nd highest of 34 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 31.5. World rank, highest first: 16th of 59.

What is food insecurity in Bulgaria?

In 2024, moderate or severe food insecurity in Bulgaria was 10.5%, according to the FAO. No year since 2015 has been lower. Europe & Central Asia median: 7.6%; Bulgaria is 13th highest of 45. World rank, highest first: 89th of 135.