Nearly 24% of Bulgarians live below poverty line
In 2020, the poverty line for this country as a whole was 231 euros on average per household member a month. 1,659,900 people or 23.8% were below the poverty line, according to the National Statistical Institute. Compared to the previous year, the relative share of poor population rose by 1.2%. However, the social protection system is essential for reducing poverty. Data for 2020 show that when household incomes included those from pensions but excluded other social transfers (benefits, social and family benefits, etc.), the poverty rate rose from 23.8% to 29.9%, or by 6.1%.
The relative share of the poor is highest among the unemployed (61.1% in 2020). The share of the poor among the employed aged 18 to 64 increased compared to the previous year by 0.7% to 9.7%. Among the working poor, the share of those with higher education is the lowest - 2.4%.