Bulgarian Cabinet Ups Poverty Line to BGN 236

The poverty line in Bulgaria for 2012 goes up to BGN 236, compared to the current BGN 211. File photo

The new poverty line in Bulgaria for 2012 will be set by the cabinet at BGN 236 a month per household.

The threshold will be determined Wednesday, during the regularly scheduled meeting of the cabinet. The current poverty line is set at BGN 211.

The poverty line is decided on criteria such as households being able to take care of their minimum basic needs like food and other products and services. The amount is calculated through data from the study of household budgets conducted by the National Statistics Institute, NSI.

The poverty line is not tied with welfare assistance and other social benefits, but it is considered a "cash indication for identifying the country's poor." One person, who lives alone and covers their basic needs, is also deemed household.

The cabinet is further scheduled to pass Wednesday the increase of the minimum monthly wage to BGN 290, effective May 1, 2012. The minimum hourly wage will become BGN 1.72.

The government also plans measures to encourage economic activities of enterprises and local demand in order to increase income, maintain, and increase living standards of the most disadvantaged in Bulgaria.

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