Unemployment in Bulgaria Drops to 0.3% by Year-End: Agency for Career Guidance
In a positive turn for Bulgaria’s economy, the unemployment rate has decreased by 0.3% at the end of the year, according to data from the Employment Agency. As of the end of November, there are 10,200 officially unemployed people in the country.
The number of jobless individuals has fallen from 156,600 in 2023 to 146,400 in 2024. Despite this overall improvement, there are still regions in Bulgaria where unemployment is high, with certain municipalities recording rates above 40%.
The agency reports that Dρουςovo, near Vidin, has the highest unemployment rate of around 66%. This is followed by Kaynardzha, near Silistra, with over 43%, and Makresh, also near Vidin, with a rate of 43%.
A local resident, Michaela, who has 12 years of experience as a cook and baker, is currently unemployed and seeking work in her field. She shares her difficulties with the current unemployment benefits, stating "You can’t make ends meet with 930 lev from the minimum wage, and the unemployment compensation is around 500-600 lev, which cannot cover even the most basic living expenses."
The average unemployment compensation in Bulgaria is 715 lev, roughly the same as the minimum wage. The highest average compensation is paid in Sofia, while the lowest is in Vraca. The daily minimum unemployment compensation is 18 lev, and the maximum is 107.14 lev. These rates remain constant year-round regardless of changes in the minimum wage.
Lastly, the National Statistical Institute (NSI) reports that 35.2% of unemployed individuals find work within five months of leaving the unemployment register.
