It can safely be said that this autumn and winter Bulgarians have been really lucky regarding the climate. While the northern part of the Old Continent was drowning in floods and blizzards, Bulgaria experienced a warm and dry autumn and is now seeing an unusually snowless winter, which is nothing like the real thing. The plenty of sunshine and the high temperatures remind many people here of late spring. With the warm weather, at the beginning of February we were surprised to see the birds flying back to these latitudes traditionally in March. Nature gave a rest to Bulgarians to many of whom autumn and winter is the worst period, because it is when their pockets get almost fully empty.

In terms of income, Bulgaria ranks last in the EU and this has long been a fact. The warm winter contributed to loosening the knot at least with respect to heating costs, leaving some joy in the hearts of many people. However, the statistics for the last quarter of 2013 show that the costs of an average Bulgarian household are growing faster and incomes - slower. For the last three months of 2013, the funds having entered Bulgarian households are 6 percent more, but at the same time, costs have increased by 7 per cent. Slightly more than 60 percent of income goes to food and maintenance of the residence. For food alone, in the last three months of last year, the average household has paid nearly 10 percent more because of the appreciation of a number of commodities. However, there is light at the end of the tunnel – in late 2013 we paid less for water, electricity and other heating due to a slight decrease in prices. However, the cost of cigarettes and alcohol, clothing and footwear, health, transport and communications keep rising.

What income has the average Bulgarian received in figures?

For the last three months of last year, an average income per person in one household amounts to 1,228 leva or monthly about 400 leva. For comparison - the minimum wage last year was 310 leva and since the beginning of 2014, it jumped to 340 leva. Let us add the fact that about 600,000 Bulgarians receive a monthly income at or around the minimum wage.

Higher quarterly costs of Bulgarians were estimated at 1,136 Bulgarian leva, as the main sources of income remain wages and pensions. Other sources have less impact on the total income.

The low income leading to poverty or close to poverty that many households are now experiencing, forces a lot of Bulgarians to choose emigration. Since the start of the transition period, more than two million Bulgarians have sought a higher standard of living in other countries. Good as the intentions to reduce poverty may be included in the budget for this year, it's just a small step. The small increase of the minimum wage, the small pension increase from July, supporting the most vulnerable segments of society, more funds for mothers in the second year of their maternity leave – these are steps in the right correction but they are not enough to change things. Given that unemployment is not decreasing but quite on the contrary, the decision is sought elsewhere. And everyone makes their own choice. For the younger generation, this decision most often leads to roads outside Bulgaria. And when it comes to the mild winter – we are hoping for it also next year.

English version: Rossitsa Petcova