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

Poverty levels in Bulgaria are rising

Study reveals one fifth of Bulgarians live in poverty

Photo: Archive

More than a fifth of Bulgarians are poor, according to an analysis by the Institute for Market Economics. People living in deficit are increasing to 21.7% based on data on unemployment, low education, higher number of children in the household, older age, ethnicity.
Last year, 3 million people or 46% of the population were unable to meet unexpected financial expenses such as urgent repairs to their home or car, sudden illness, replacing a washing machine or refrigerator. 

Over 41% of people could not afford a week-long vacation away from home, over 39% - to replace old furniture, and 19% - to maintain a normal temperature in their home. 

In addition, every fifth person over 16 years of age has experienced difficulties in buying clothes and shoes and did not have even a small amount of money for personal needs.

Material deprivation among children is decreasing, but at the same time remains relatively high. Every tenth child does not have new clothes, two pairs of shoes, one daily meal that includes meat, or the opportunity to celebrate special occasions such as birthdays and name days.



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

Opposition calls for occupation of parliament

"We Continue the Change" (PP) party called for a protest and blockade of the National Assembly building to stop the adoption of the budget for next year. The MPs are discussing the budget at first reading. PP received support for..

published on 11/21/25 2:04 PM

Foreign students in Bulgaria have more than doubled for 10 years

The share of foreign students in Bulgaria has more than doubled in the last decade. In 2013, they were nearly 4 percent while in 2025 their number reaches 9% of active students. This is indicated by the annual Ranking of Higher..

published on 11/21/25 1:49 PM

Bulgaria has coordinated a major international operation against antiquities trafficking

Over 3,000 antiques worth more than EUR 100 million have been seized in an international operation, coordinated from Sofia, the Greek police reported.  One of the largest antiquities smuggling networks has been dismantled with the support of Europol..

published on 11/21/25 11:01 AM