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

In 2023, Chelopech, Kozloduy and Sofia were the municipalities with the highest salaries, IME data shows

Photo: BTA

For the sixth year in a row, the Institute for Market Economics (IME) publishes data and analysis of the economic development of Bulgaria by municipality in the form of interactive maps as part of the initiative "265 stories about economy". 


The data are for the year 2023 - the latest available for municipalities. It was provided by the National Statistical Institute and processed by the IME. 


The statistics reveal an interesting trend, as for yet another year, the top positions in terms of average gross monthly wages are mostly occupied by small municipalities, where large companies operate, accounting for a significant share of labor income in the region. These include municipalities in the Sredna Gora region with highly developed mining and related manufacturing industries, such as Chelopech (first place with EUR 1,918), Pirdop (fifth place with EUR 1,431) and Panagyurishte (eighth place with EUR 1,246), as well as municipalities with a strong energy sector, such as Kozloduy (EUR 1,749), Radnevo (fourth place with EUR 1,433) and Galabovo (sixth place with EUR 1,293). 


Traditionally industrial municipalities such as Devnya (seventh place with 1,280 EUR) and Bozhurishte (ninth place with 1,139 EUR) also find a place in the top 10. The exception is the capital city of Sofia, which ranks third in 2023 with an average gross monthly salary of EUR 1,460. The capital is home to 34% of the country's total workforce.




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

Danube Bridge between Ruse and Giurgiu opens for heavy vehicles

Nearly 24 hours after it was closed, Danube Bridge linking Ruse and Giurgiu is now open for trucks, regional governor Dragomir Draganov said. At 9 a.m. on November 5, trucks were allowed to pass through the facility. On November 4,..

published on 11/5/25 10:17 AM

Tobacco producers oppose phasing out of EU subsidies in the sector

The National Association of Tobacco Producers - 2010 opposes the proposal for banning public support for tobacco cultivation in the EU. A letter to the Ministry of Agriculture quotes the position of the largest European agricultural..

published on 11/5/25 9:21 AM

The Bulgarian Orthodox Church and BSP discuss introduction of religion in schools

In the Synodal Palace, Bulgarian Patriarch Daniil met with the parliamentary group of "BSP - United Left". The delegation of the socialists was led by Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of BSP, Atanas Zafirov, the Synod of the..

published on 11/5/25 8:45 AM