Working poor

A recent analysis from the European Institute of Trade Unions, highlighted by the European Confederation of Trade Unions, reveals that low-wage earners in most EU countries spend at least a third of their monthly income on rent. This data comes just before Dan Jørgensen's hearing in the European Parliament, where he will be considered for the role of the EU's first housing commissioner.

The National Statistical Institute reports that in 2023, the poverty line for the entire country stood at 637.92 BGN per person per month within households. At this threshold, 1.3 million individuals fell below the poverty line, constituting 20.6% of the nation's populace.

In 2022, the total poverty line for Bulgaria was BGN 525.92 per household member per month. With this size of the poverty line, 1.5719 million people, or 22.9% of the country's population, were below the poverty line, according to data from the National Statistical Institute.

In 2018, the average monthly poverty line for the country is 351.11 BGN average per person. The number of persons who are below this line is 1 550.8 thousand representing 22.0% of the population, according to data of the National Statistical Institute. 

According to Plamen Dimitrov, president of the Confederation of Independent Trade Unions of Bulgaria (KNSB), a third of the Bulgarian population lives below the poverty line.

Dimitrov said this in an interview for private bTV station on Tuesday, basing his words on the latest figures presented by KNSB on Monday.

Bulgaria is at the bottom of the EU ranking by hourly-rate remuneration, with an average hourly wage of EUR 3.7, compared to an EU average of EUR 23.7 per hour, according to Eurostat data, as cited by local trade unions.