Bulgaria Sees Robust Wage Growth in Q3 2025, Despite Employment Dip
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The average gross monthly salary in Bulgaria reached BGN 2,549 in the third quarter of 2025, marking a important increase of 12.0% compared to the same period in 2024. However, this growth occurred alongside a slight decrease in employment, indicating a shifting economic landscape.
Salary Increases Across Sectors
According to preliminary data from the National Statistical Institute (NSI), the state administration saw an average gross salary of BGN 3,088 at the end of the third quarter, a substantial increase of BGN 417 year-over-year. While a positive development for public sector workers, the state administration ranks fifth in terms of gross salary.
Leading the way in compensation are the sectors of “Creation adn dissemination of details and creative products; telecommunications” with an average of BGN 5,512, followed by “Financial and insurance activities” at BGN 3,716, and “Production and distribution of electric and thermal energy and gaseous fuels” at BGN 3,539.”Professional activities and scientific research” also boast high earnings, averaging BGN 3,460.
Conversely, the lowest-paid sectors remain concentrated in service and primary industries. Employees in the “Hotel and resturant industry” earned an average of BGN 1,586, while those in “Agriculture, forestry and fisheries” averaged BGN 1,763, and “other activities” BGN 1,774.
Public vs. Private Sector Wage Growth
The economic upswing has been felt across both the public and private sectors, though at differing rates. The public sector experienced a 14.2% increase in average monthly salaries compared to the third quarter of 2024, while the private sector saw a rise of 11.3%. Examining monthly figures, the average gross monthly salary was BGN 2,570 in July, BGN 2,497 in August, and BGN 2,580 in September.
Despite the overall positive trend, a slight dip was observed in the third quarter, with the average monthly salary decreasing by 0.9% compared to the second quarter of 2025. Sectors experiencing the largest declines included “Education” (-4.0%), “Culture, sports and entertainment” (-3.8%), and “Human health care and social work” (-1.8%).
However, significant gains were also recorded.”Administrative and auxiliary activities” led the way with a 17.5% increase, followed by “Construction” (16.5%) and “Education” (16.4%).
Employment Figures Show a Slight Decline
While wages are rising, the number of employed persons in Bulgaria decreased by 28,900, or 1.2%, between the end of June and the end of September 2025, reaching a total of 2.36 million, according to preliminary NSI data.
The moast significant decreases in employment were observed in the “Hotel and restaurant business” (-14.9%),”Agriculture,forestry and fisheries” (-3.3%), and “real estate operations” (-3.0%).
Despite the overall decline, certain sectors experienced employment growth. Between September 2024 and September 2025, “Human health care and social work” saw an increase of 11,800 jobs, “Construction” added 8,000, and “Trade; repair of cars and motorcycles” gained 5,500 positions. Conversely, “Manufacturing industry” lost 8,100 jobs, and “agriculture, forestry and fisheries” saw a decrease of 3,000.
In percentage terms, the largest employment gains were in “Culture, sports and entertainment” (6.2%), “Construction” (6.1%), and “Human health care and social work” (6.0%), while the steepest declines were in “Agriculture, forestry and fishing” (-4.5%) and “Mining industry” (-1.9%).
These figures suggest a shifting economic landscape in Bulgaria, with wage growth outpacing employment gains in certain sectors, perhaps signaling a need for continued monitoring and strategic economic planning.
