Trade Union: More than 2,2 Bulgarians still live below the poverty line

The data of CITUB are firms - although the economy is steadily growing, only 1.8 million people receive a salary above the average for the country. CITUB have calculated that at least 2,361 BGN or, in other words, 590 BGN per person are needed for the cost of living of a four-member household. This in practice does not happen and the monthly shortage is nearly 321 BGN.

This amount of money is not enough for people to cover all their bills. One of the main reasons for this shortage is the increase of both food and non-food goods last year.

According to CITUB figures, there is a trend to have a big difference in the different areas of the country. For example, in Blagoevgrad, Vidin and Kyustendil, people still receive only 50% of the money necessary for their standard of living. Another trend is that the wages of people with the highest incomes grow faster than those of the people with the lowest. This makes the poorer to save primarily from health and education.