The latest data from Eurostat paints a worrying picture of the standard of living in Bulgaria. The report published today shows that in 2024, our country reached an unenviable position, topping the ranking in the European Union for the share of the population that cannot afford food containing meat, fish, or a vegetarian equivalent, at least every other day. This is the first time in three years that Bulgaria has taken first place in this indicator.
Eurostat data on food insecurity in Bulgaria
According to European statistics, 18.7 percent of Bulgarians are unable to provide adequate nutrition for themselves and their families in 2024. This high percentage is significantly above the EU average, which is 8.5 percent for the same year, although at the European level there is a slight improvement compared to 2023, when the share was 9.5 percent.
The difference is particularly stark when looking at the data for the most vulnerable groups. Among people living below the poverty line – those whose income is less than 60 percent of the national average – the situation is even more dire. The Eurostat report reveals that as many as 37.7 percent of Bulgarians at risk of poverty cannot afford adequate food. Although this indicator represents a slight improvement compared to 2023, when the share was 40.2 percent, Bulgaria continues to be at the top of this bleak ranking, immediately after Slovakia (39.8 percent) and Hungary (37.3 percent). For comparison, the average share of people at risk of poverty in the EU who cannot afford nutritious food is 19.4 percent, which is 2.9 p.p. less than in 2023.
The Eurostat data highlights the enormous inequality in access to food in Bulgaria. The difference between the general population and the group at risk of poverty is 19 p.p., which puts our country in fourth place in the EU for this indicator. Only Greece (23.3 p.p.), Slovakia (22.7 p.p.), and Hungary (21.8 p.p.) report larger differences. This sharp inequality contrasts with data from countries like Cyprus, where the difference is only 2.3 p.p., Portugal (2.6 p.p.), and Ireland (3.3 p.p.), which shows much higher social cohesion.
Record share of people who cannot afford nutritious food
On the other pole of the ranking are countries like Cyprus (3.5 percent), Ireland and Portugal (5.1 percent each), where the share of people at risk of poverty who cannot afford nutritious food is the lowest.
The Eurostat report serves as a serious reminder of the depth of the problems with poverty and food insecurity in Bulgaria. A reference to the statistical office's database shows that back in 2007, when our country joined the EU, as many as 88.5 percent of the poorest Bulgarians could not afford adequate nutrition. Although some progress has been made since then, the current data clearly shows that the challenges for the most vulnerable groups in society remain significant. These figures are not just statistics but reflect the daily difficulties and deprivations faced by thousands of Bulgarian families. For them, providing wholesome food is a luxury, not a basic human right.