site.btaFire Safety Expenses Increase in Bulgaria, EU Y/Y

Fire safety expenses increased between 2023 and 2024, Eurostat reported on Tuesday. EU governments spent EUR 40.6 billion on fire protection services in 2023, while in 2022 they spent EUR 37.4 billion, reflecting an 8.5% increase.

Some EUR 229.1 million, or 0.6% of Bulgaria’s total government expenditure, was allocated to this activity in 2023, compared to EUR 197.4 million in 2022. Despite those expenses remaining at 0.6% of the total government expenditure for both years, the dedicated budget itself rose by more than EUR 30 million.

Out of a labour force of 3 million in Bulgaria, in 2024 there were 7,000 firefighters, representing 0.24% of total employment.

This marked a slight increase compared to 2023, when the number of firefighters was 6,500, or 0.22% of total employment. 

The EU recorded similar trends. In 2024, the EU had 390,600 professional firefighters, representing 0.19% of total employment in the bloc. Compared to 2023, this figure grew by 28,200.