On the day we celebrate the holiday of Bulgarian literacy, education and culture, statistics show a worrying fact - Bulgarian teachers continue to receive some of the lowest salaries in the European Union. According to data from the European Commission, the annual salary of teachers in Bulgaria amounts to about 7731 euros, which puts us in last place among EU countries.
From March 1, 2025, the minimum basic salary for teachers in Bulgaria was increased by 15% and reached 2131 leva, for senior teachers - 2198 leva, and for head teachers - 2283 leva. Directors of educational institutions receive a minimum of 2596 leva. Additionally, for a teaching hour above the norm, teaching work is paid between 8.60 and 11.7 leva, depending on the qualification.
For comparison, Luxembourg holds the championship in teacher salaries in the EU with an annual salary of about 69,000 euros, followed by Switzerland with about 67,000 euros and Germany with 54,000 euros. Even in neighboring Greece, which has experienced a serious economic crisis, teachers receive an average of about 22,800 euros per year - almost three times more than their colleagues in Bulgaria.
Although it remains at the bottom of the European ranking, Bulgaria has recorded one of the largest increases in teacher salaries in the last decade. According to data from the European Commission, for the period 2009-2020, the salaries of Bulgarian teachers have increased by 180%. This trend continues to this day, although it is not yet enough to move us out of last place.
Low salaries are one of the main reasons for the shortage of teachers across Europe. In Germany, there are about 25,000 unfilled teaching positions, in Poland - 20,000, and in France - about 4,000. The problem of low salaries in the education sector is particularly noticeable in Bulgaria, where young specialists rarely choose the teaching profession.
As we celebrate the Day of the Holy Brothers Cyril and Methodius, of the Bulgarian Alphabet, Education and Culture, and of Slavic Literature, it is important to realize that in addition to a holiday, this is also an occasion to pay attention to those who daily teach the basics of literacy and shape the future of the nation.