Average household income per person in Bulgaria grew more strongly than spending during the last quarter of 2025, according to data from the National Statistical Institute.

The quarterly total income per household member reachedBGN 3,687 (?1,880), marking an increase of 9.4% compared to the same period in 2024. At the same time, average quarterly expenditure per person rose by 5.6% toBGN 3,203 (?1,635).

Salaries accounted for the largest share of total income at 58.3%, followed by pensions at 29.6%, and self-employment earnings at 7.6%. Compared to the fourth quarter of 2024, the proportion of income from salaries increased by 3.9 percentage points, while pensions? share fell by 0.6 points.

In nominal terms, salary income climbed fromBGN 1,835 (?935)toBGN 2,149 (?1,095), reflecting a 17.1% increase. Income from self-employment rose fromBGN 260 (?133)toBGN 292 (?149)(up 8.4%), pensions increased fromBGN 1,019 (?520)toBGN 1,090 (?555)(up 7%), while social benefits and allowances decreased fromBGN 69 (?35)toBGN 56 (?29), an 18.8% drop.

On the expenditure side, the largest portion of household spending went to food and non-alcoholic beverages (29.6%), followed by taxes and social security payments (15.8%), housing (15.0%), and transport and communications (11.3%).

Spending on food and non-alcoholic beverages increased fromBGN 888 (?453)toBGN 948 (?483). Alcoholic drinks and cigarettes rose fromBGN 123 (?63)toBGN 139 (?71). Taxes and social security contributions went up fromBGN 425 (?217)toBGN 506 (?258). Housing costs, including water, electricity, and heating, increased slightly fromBGN 469 (?239)toBGN 480 (?245), and transport and communication expenses climbed fromBGN 348 (?177)toBGN 363 (?185). Spending on healthcare decreased marginally fromBGN 182 (?93)toBGN 181 (?92).

The data shows that household income is rising faster than spending, driven mainly by salary growth, although cost pressures continue in areas such as food, housing, and taxes.