Average household income per person in Bulgaria grew more strongly than spending during the last quarter of 2025, according to data from the National Statistical Institute.
The quarterly total income per household member reached BGN 3,687 (EUR 1,880), marking an increase of 9.4% compared to the same period in 2024. At the same time, average quarterly expenditure per person rose by 5.6%, to BGN 3,203 (EUR 1,635).
Salaries accounted for the largest share of total income at 58.3%, followed by pensions at 29.6%, and self-employment earnings at 7.6%. Compared to the fourth quarter of 2024, the proportion of income from salaries increased by 3.9%, while pensions’ share fell by 0.6%.
In nominal terms, salary income climbed from BGN 1,835 (EUR 935) to BGN 2,149 (EUR 1,095), reflecting a 17.1% increase. Income from self-employment rose from BGN 260 (EUR 133) to BGN 292 (EUR 149) (+8.4%), pensions increased from BGN 1,019 (EUR 520) to BGN 1,090 (EUR 555) (+7%), while social benefits and allowances decreased from BGN 69 (EUR 35) to BGN 56 (EUR 29), an 18.8% drop.
On the expenditure side, the largest portion of household spending went to food and non-alcoholic beverages (29.6%), followed by taxes and social security payments (15.8%), housing (15.0%), and transport and communications (11.3%).
Spending on food and non-alcoholic beverages increased from BGN 888 (EUR 453) to BGN 948 (EUR 483). Alcoholic drinks and cigarettes rose from BGN 123 (EUR 63) to BGN 139 (EUR 71). Taxes and social security contributions went up from BGN 425 (EUR 217) to BGN 506 (EUR 258). Housing costs, including water, electricity, and heating, increased slightly from BGN 469 (EUR 239) to BGN 480 (EUR 245), and transport and communication expenses climbed from BGN 348 (EUR 177) to BGN 363 (EUR 185). Spending on healthcare decreased marginally from BGN 182 (EUR 93) to BGN 181 (EUR 92).
The data shows that household income is rising faster than spending, driven mainly by salary growth, although cost pressures continue in areas such as food, housing, and taxes. (Novinite)