In 2025, the income of Bulgarian households clearly shows one thing: labor remains the primary source of money for people in Bulgaria. The largest portion of personal finances comes from wages and salaries, followed by pensions, self-employment, and various social payments.
According to 2025 data, the average monetary income per person is 14,343 BGN per year. This includes all primary sources of income: wages and salaries, pensions, self-employment, social benefits, family allowances, income from sales, and others.
Employment income remains the main source of earnings.
Wages and salaries represent the largest share of an average Bulgarian’s income. In 2025, this averaged 8,231 BGN per person annually, accounting for approximately 57.4% of total monetary income.
This means that more than half of Bulgarian household income comes from wages. Simply put, Bulgarians primarily earn their living through their labor, rather than from property, investments, or side income.
However, the disparities between different income groups are significant. For the lowest-earning 10% of the population, income from wages is 2,235 BGN annually. For the top 10% of earners, it is 23,132 BGN annually. This means that those in the highest income bracket earn approximately 2,000 BGN per month.
Pensions rank as the second largest source of income
Following wages, pensions are the next most significant source of income. They account for an average of 4,224 BGN per person annually, or approximately 29.5% of total income. This means that the average monthly income from pensions in Bulgaria was about 350 BGN last year.
Self-employment is also significant
Income from self-employment averages 1,000 BGN per person annually, accounting for 7.2% of total income. This includes earnings from private business, freelance work, agricultural activities, and other forms of employment outside of standard labor contracts.
Although its share is not as large as that of wages and pensions, self-employment is an important indicator. It reflects how many people earn an income through their own initiative, small businesses, or professional activities.
This highlights the low level of investment activity, including income from dividends and private business ventures of individuals. The only bright spot is the increase from 3.5% to 7% of total income over the last three years, which serves as an indicator of a growing desire for forms of income beyond standard employment.
Income from property remains minimal
Income from property averages only 11 EUR per person, or just 0.1% of total income. This includes earnings from rents, interest, dividends, and other similar sources.
This low share shows that for most Bulgarians, passive income is almost non-existent in the family budget. Bulgarians rarely earn significant amounts from assets, investments, or property. Primary income continues to come from wages and pensions.
This is an important takeaway, as in more developed economies, income from property and investments often plays a more significant role. In Bulgaria, however, the traditional model remains dominant: you work, you earn a salary, and then you rely on a pension.
Main conclusions
In 2025, Bulgarians earn their income primarily through wages. This source accounts for more than half of household income. These findings explain why the desire for public sector jobs remains so strong.
In second place are pensions, which are particularly important for lower-income groups. Self-employment is significant but is not yet a primary source for most people. Income from property and investments remains almost negligible.
The picture is clear: the Bulgarian household relies primarily on labor and pensions. This is a stable, yet limited, model. For incomes to grow more sustainably, what is needed is not just an increase in wages, but also more opportunities for private business, investments, and additional sources of income.
What it takes to reach the top 10% of earners?
This brings us to the answer: if you have an average monthly income per family member of 2,000 BGN (1,000 EUR), or 3,000 EUR per month for a three-member family, you fall into the top 10% of highest-earning Bulgarians.
These low levels demonstrate why the 10% flat tax should not be increased. Any hike would significantly reduce average disposable income, given that it is already not particularly high as it stands.
