site.btaMonthly Wage in Bulgaria Averaged BGN 2,123 in Q3 2023

The average wage in Bulgaria continues to rise, quarter on quarter, but the growth is slowing down, year on year, according to figures released by the National Statistical Institute (NSI).

The average monthly wage was BGN 2,098 in October, BGN 2,099 in November, and BGN 2,173 in December 2023.

In the fourth quarter of 2023, the average monthly wage increased by 6.2% from the third quarter and reached BGN 2,123. Three economic activities reported the highest wage increase: education, 16.1%, human health and social work activities, 8.3%, and real estate activities, 7.4%. By comparison, the average wage was BGN 2,000 in the third quarter of 2023, up 2.2% from the second quarter.

Compared to the fourth quarter of 2022, the average monthly wage rose by 13.0% in the fourth quarter of 2023. The three economic activities with the highest growth rates were construction, 21.3%, accommodation and food service activities, 19.9%, and transportation and storage, 17.2%. Compared to the like period of 2022, the third quarter 2023 average wage grew by 14.7%.

Year on year, the average monthly wage grew by 14.0% in the public sector and by 12.7% in the private sector. In the third quarter of 2023, the growth of the average monthly wage was 15.3% in the public sector and 14.5% in the private sector, compared to the third quarter of 2022. 

The average gross monthly wage was BGN 2,098 for October 2023, BGN 2,099 for November 2023, BGN 2,173 for December 2023. By comparison, the wage averaged BGN 1,973 for July 2023, BGN 1,957 for August 2023, and BGN 2,072 for September 2023.

The three economic activities that recorded the highest average monthly wages in the fourth quarter of 2023 were information and communication BGN 4,852, electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply BGN 3,278, financial and insurance activities BGN 3,086. The three economic activities that registered the lowest average monthly wages in the same period were accommodation and food service activities BGN 1,304,  other service activities BGN 1,307, and agriculture, forestry and fishing BGN 1,460.