The necessary monthly income for a three-member family (two adults and one child up to 14 years old) is 1473 euros. This is according to the data of the Confederation of Independent Trade Unions in Bulgaria (CITUB) for the first quarter of 2026, which were presented at a press conference.
For a single worker living alone, 818 euros are needed. The necessary income for support increases by 2.3% on a quarterly basis and 5.2% on an annual basis.
In one year, 73 euros more are needed for a three-member family, and for a single worker – 40 euros more, said the president of the Confederation of Bulgarian Trade Unions Plamen Dimitrov.
More than half of the employed are insured on an income lower than the subsistence wage (58.3%), reported the Confederation of Bulgarian Trade Unions. The union pointed out as a positive trend that the total number of people in this group is decreasing on an annual basis. From there, they believe that this is due to the general increase in incomes over the past 12 months. By the end of 2025, Bulgaria reached an income level of 68% of the average European values, the union noted. Citizens insured up to the amount of the minimum wage on a full-time basis represent 12.2% of all full-time employees (one in every eight people), added the union organization.
The annual growth in food products (6.2%) continues, reported the Confederation of Bulgarian Trade Unions. According to the union, 329 euros are needed for one worker in food and catering. More serious growth on a quarterly basis is seen in vegetables, fruits, bread, meat and eggs. There is also an increase in coffee.