Bulgaria Household Income Up 10%; Expenses Up 4%

Data from NSI reveals the income of people in Bulgaria's households has gone up by 10% in May 2009 compared to May 2008, while the expenses have increased by 4%. Photo by Sofia Photo Agency

The total average income per person in a household for the month of May 2009 is BGN 304, nearly 10% up compared to May 2008.

The data was released Monday by the National Statistics Institute (NSI.

The majority of the above income comes from salaries and retirement pensions - 80%.

The total average expense per person in a household for the month of April 2009 is BGN 274, up by nearly 4% compared to May 2008.

The majority of the expense is formed by food and housing expenses, including energy and water bills - over 50% of all expenses.

Expenses for food and non-alcoholic beverages are up by 0,6% to BGN 103 per person in a household while housing expenses have gone from BGN 37 in May 2008 to BGN 44 in April 2009.