Bulgaria: jobs and pay

What is the unemployment rate in Bulgaria?

Bulgaria's unemployment rate was 3.5% in the second quarter of 2026, 0.1 percentage points lower than a year earlier, according to the National Statistical Institute (NSI) labour force survey. There were 107.1 thousand unemployed people. The rate was 4.0% for men and 3.0% for women.

The survey counts people without work who are actively looking and available to start. 42.0% of the unemployed had been looking for a year or more. Unemployment was 13.5% for people with lower secondary education or less, against 1.4% for people with tertiary education.

Official sources: NSI: labour force survey, Q2 2026

What is the average salary in Bulgaria?

The average monthly gross wage in Bulgaria was €1,444 in the second quarter of 2026, 9.8% higher than a year earlier, according to the National Statistical Institute (NSI). It was €1,476 in April, €1,434 in May and €1,421 in June. Wages rose 11.5% in the private sector and 4.8% in the public sector over the year.

The figure covers employees under labour contracts and is before tax and social contributions. Averages are raised by a smaller number of high earners, so most employees earn less than the average. The number of employees under labour contract was 2.37 million at the end of June 2026.

Official sources: NSI: employees and average wages, Q2 2026

What is the employment rate in Bulgaria?

70.5% of people aged 15 to 64 in Bulgaria were in work in the second quarter of 2026, 0.5 percentage points lower than a year earlier, according to the National Statistical Institute (NSI). There were 2,917.9 thousand people in employment; 66.9% worked in services, 28.0% in industry and 5.1% in agriculture, forestry and fishing.

The employment rate is the share of an age group that has a job. For everyone aged 15 and over it was 53.0%, lower because it includes pensioners. The activity rate, which adds the unemployed, was 73.2% for ages 15 to 64.

Official sources: NSI: labour force survey, Q2 2026

What is the youth unemployment rate in Bulgaria?

The unemployment rate for people aged 15 to 29 in Bulgaria was 8.1% in the second quarter of 2026, 0.1 percentage points higher than a year earlier, according to the National Statistical Institute (NSI). It was 9.9% for young men and 5.7% for young women.

The rate is the share of young people in the labour force who are unemployed; students who are not looking for work are not counted in the labour force. The NSI uses the 15-29 age group, so the figure is not directly comparable with youth rates for ages 15-24 used elsewhere.

Official sources: NSI: labour force survey, Q2 2026

How much is the minimum wage in Bulgaria?

According to the ILO, the statutory minimum wage in Bulgaria was 620 EUR a month in 2026. No year since 2012 has been higher.

What is the average wage in Bulgaria?

The ILO puts average monthly earnings of employees in Bulgaria at $1,573 a month in 2025. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2012. Europe & Central Asia median: $3,252 a month; Bulgaria is 26th highest of 32. Of 57 countries with 2025 data, 28th highest.

What is Bulgaria's unemployment rate?

The latest figure from the ILO, for 2025, is 3.5%. It is the bottom of the series, which starts in 2005. Europe & Central Asia median: 5.5%; Bulgaria is 40th highest of 47. Worldwide: 118th of 174.

How many young people in Bulgaria are unemployed?

10.2%: that is unemployment among 15 to 24 year olds in Bulgaria for 2025, according to the ILO. Its high point since 2005 was 2013, at 28.4%; its low point was 2019, at 8.8%. It is 35th highest of 47 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 14.2%. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 103rd highest.

What share of people in Bulgaria are in the labour force?

The ILO puts the labour force participation rate in Bulgaria at 56.1% in 2025. Since 2005 it has ranged from 50.1% (2005) to 56.9% (2023). It is 36th highest of 47 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 60.3%. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 128th highest.

How many women in Bulgaria are working or looking for work?

50.4%: that is the labour force participation rate for women in Bulgaria for 2025, according to the ILO. The peak was 51.0% in 2023 and the low 44.6% in 2005. Europe & Central Asia median: 54.6%; Bulgaria is 35th highest of 47. Worldwide: 112th of 174.

How many people in Bulgaria are employed?

54.1%: that is the employment to population ratio in Bulgaria for 2025, according to the ILO. The peak was 54.4% in 2023 and the low 45.1% in 2005. Europe & Central Asia median: 56.6%; Bulgaria is 32nd highest of 47. Worldwide: 116th of 174.

How common is self-employment in Bulgaria?

6.9%: that is the share of workers who are own-account or contributing family workers in Bulgaria for 2025, according to the ILO. The peak was 9.4% in 2005 and the low 6.5% in 2020. Europe & Central Asia median: 11.0%; Bulgaria is 40th highest of 47. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 159th highest.

What share of jobs in Bulgaria are salaried?

According to the ILO, the share of workers who are paid employees in Bulgaria was 88.2% in 2025. Its high point since 2005 was 2020, at 89.3%; its low point was 2005, at 85.7%. Europe & Central Asia median: 85.5%; Bulgaria is 11th highest of 47. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 22nd highest.