Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2025 All Rights Reserved

Unions, businesses and the government in Bulgaria fail to agree on poverty line

Photo: BTA

The National Council for Tripartite Cooperation held a meeting at which a draft decree of the Council of Ministers was considered on determining the poverty line for the country for 2025. The Government proposes to raise the poverty line from 526 BGN /268.94 EUR/ to 638 BGN / 326.2 EUR/ for 2025. According to the government, this will expand the scope of vulnerable people who can be supported through social payments from the state. With this, the relative share of the poor population in Bulgaria is expected to decrease by 2.3% - to 20.6% of the country's population.

Employers' organizations backed the cabinet's proposed rate against the backdrop of forecast inflation for 2025 of just 2.6%.

The Confederation of Independent Trade Unions (CITUB) are not satisfied with the decision. The trade union insists that the line be at the level of 667 BGN /341.03 EUR/. According to CITUB, the methodology for determining the poverty line should be changed by defining the minimum needs to guarantee a minimum per household person. The union also insists on the adoption of the so-called living wage in Bulgaria.



Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

Hristijan Mickoski

North Macedonia's PM rules out unconditional constitutional recognition of Bulgarians

North Macedonian Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski said his government will not unconditionally recognise Bulgarians in the country’s constitution.  “Nobody has the right to expect this government to make constitutional changes unconditionally,” he told..

published on 10/17/25 2:36 PM

Bulgarian rectors propose Danube University Alliances

‘The Bulgarian Rectors’ Council has proposed the creation of Danube University Alliances,’ said Professor Miglena Temelkova, the Council's chair, at the ‘Days of Bulgaria in Kecskemét, Hungary’ forum. The idea is for the alliances to include..

published on 10/17/25 2:13 PM
PM Rosen Zhelyazkov (L) and GERB leader Boyko Borissov.

GERB and DPS-New Beginning rule out early elections

‘This is not the time for early elections,’ said Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov at a GERB party conference. According to BTA, he was opposed to holding elections during the country’s planned adoption of the euro in 2026. GERB chairman Boyko..

published on 10/17/25 1:12 PM