The government proposes to raise the poverty line in 2025. The proposed value of 638 BGN. corresponds to the poverty line from the study "Statistics of income and living conditions (EU-SILC)", with the national poverty line increasing by 21.3% (BGN 112) compared to its size from the previous year and expanding the scope of social benefits.
This year, the poverty line is BGN 526, having grown by only BGN 22 compared to 2023.
With the determination of a poverty line for the country of BGN 638 for 2025, financial support for people with permanent disabilities, monthly social benefits and financial assistance and funds under the Child Protection Act will be updated according to the possibilities of the state budget, indicated by the ministry. The scope of people entitled to a social pension for old age according to the Social Security Code will also be expanded.
According to the Council of Ministers, the weakening of inflationary pressure is expected to lead to a higher purchasing power of vulnerable groups of the population and an increase in household consumption. In 2025, GDP growth is forecast to be 3.0%, with a slowdown in investment growth, particularly public investment, while private investment is expected to accelerate due to reduced uncertainty and increased demand.
Every year, the size of the poverty line is updated in order to better target and formulate social policies, monitor their implementation, and also evaluate the results of policies in the area of living standards and quality of life of people. The poverty line occupies an important place in the policy area aimed at reducing poverty among the various social strata of the population, including and the "working poor”.
In response to the social and economic challenges, the Ministry of Labor and Social Policy took the necessary actions by equalizing the national poverty line and the poverty line used by the European Commission, which is in line with the ongoing poverty reduction policy. Through the annual update of the poverty line determined by the Eurostat study "Statistics of Income and Living Conditions (EU-SILC)", it is guaranteed that poverty will be objectively measured, reflecting the economic reality, Pariteni.bg reported.< /p>