SOFIA – More than 800,000 pensioners in Bulgaria are currently living below the poverty threshold, highlighting the growing financial challenges faced by the country’s elderly population.
Despite planned pension increases in 2025, a large portion of retirees will continue to receive benefits that do not meet the minimum standard for a basic livelihood.
As of January 2025, Bulgaria has 2,065,573 pensioners, with the average basic pension standing at 835.91 leva, excluding additional supplements.
However, a significant number of pensioners receive much lower payments. Over 423,000 people receive pensions below 580.57 leva, while another 390,000 are on the exact minimum pension rate for length of service and age, set at 580.57 leva.
These figures place nearly 40% of Bulgarian pensioners below the 2025 poverty threshold of 638 leva.
Minimal Increases, Maximum Struggles
The government has announced that pensions granted by the end of 2024 will be indexed by 8-9% in July 2025. However, even with this increase, the minimum pension for length of service and age is projected to rise only to 631 leva—still below the poverty line.
This means that hundreds of thousands of pensioners will continue to struggle to meet their daily needs despite the adjustments.
Currently, Bulgaria has 1,216,000 pensioners receiving pensions based on their service and age.
Additionally, more than 51,000 people receive reduced pensions due to early retirement, having met service requirements but leaving the workforce a year before reaching the official retirement age.
Another 470,000 individuals are classified as disability pensioners, while more than 54,000 people receive social pensions, which are awarded based on strict income criteria.
Just over 6,000 pensioners over the age of 70 benefit from the social old-age pension, a form of state support aimed at the most vulnerable elderly citizens.
The Growing Financial Pressure on Pensioners
Many pensioners in Bulgaria rely solely on their monthly pensions to cover basic expenses such as food, utilities, and medical care.
With inflation driving up the cost of living, particularly for essential goods, those receiving the minimum pension face significant financial hardships.
“The rising cost of food and medication is unbearable,” says Elena Petrova, a 74-year-old pensioner from Plovdiv.
“I worked for over 40 years, yet my pension barely covers rent and electricity. Every month, I have to choose between heating my home or buying necessary medicine.”
Experts warn that unless further measures are taken to support pensioners, the situation could worsen.
Bulgaria’s rapidly aging population and the shrinking workforce pose additional challenges to the country’s pension system, raising concerns about long-term sustainability.
Government Response and Future Prospects
The caretaker government’s draft budget for 2025 aims to increase pensions, but many analysts argue that the proposed adjustments are insufficient.
Some advocacy groups are calling for a higher minimum pension, arguing that no retiree should live below the poverty threshold.
“The current pension system fails to provide a dignified life for our elderly population,” says economist Ivan Dimitrov. “Even with planned increases, the gap between pension levels and the cost of living remains substantial.”
With pensioners making up a significant portion of Bulgaria’s population, their financial well-being remains a key issue for policymakers.
As discussions on the 2025 budget continue, many retirees are left wondering whether they will see meaningful improvements or continue struggling to make ends meet.