Sofia Concentrates 22% of the Employed in Bulgaria, Monthly Wages and Salaries Are 37% Higher than the National Average

The average salary in Sofia (city) and Sofia (region) is the highest compared to the national average – BGN 2,373 and BGN 1,645, respectively, according to the preliminary data of the National Statistical Institute. The analyses show that the employed in the capital receive 37% higher income than the rest of the country (BGN 1,710 / BGN 1,327 net). On an annual basis, the average salary increase in Sofia is 14.6% (compared to 13.6% on average for Bulgaria).

The economic activities with the highest average monthly remuneration of employed persons in the second quarter of 2022 are (national data):

– “Creation and distribution of information and creative products; telecommunications” – BGN 4,216;

– “Financial and insurance activities” – BGN 2,739;;

– “Mining industry” – BGN 2,544

The lowest paid are those employed in “Accommodation, hospitality and catering”, “Other activities” and “Water supply; sewerage services, waste management.

Apart from the fact that the labour market in Sofia offers the highest remuneration levels, the city also remains a preferred place for internal migration of the working age population. The city concentrates ¼ of the employed in Bulgaria or just over 22% of all employed. The statistics of the National Statistical Institute for Q2 of 2022 report some 704,000 working people aged 15 and over. Together with the Sofia region, the number of employed people reaches 26% or 814,300 people.