Gender Equality in the Labor Market: Bulgaria Surpasses the EU
Bulgaria has made significant progress in gender equality. According to the latest 2025 Report on Equality between Women and Men, the employment rate for women in our country is higher than the average for European Union countries.
The employment rate for women (aged 20-64) in Bulgaria reached 73.2%, while the average indicator for the EU is 71.4%.
Key Statistics for 2025
- Employment: The gap between male and female employment in Bulgaria is 7.4 percentage points, which is a better result than the EU average (9.6 points).
- Income: The average social security income has risen to 1854.22 BGN, but men still earn 5.4% more than women.
- Pay Gap: In 2024, the pay gap was 11.5% in favor of men, marking a gradual decline of 1.6 percentage points compared to 2023.
Pension System and Future Policies
Despite a slight decrease in the pension gap, it remains significant at 36.1%. It is important to note that women receive a pension for an average of nearly seven years longer than men (26.5 years).
To address these imbalances, the Ministry of Labor and Social Policy is proposing a National Action Plan for the 2027-2028 period. The measures include:
- Equal access to the labor market.
- Overcoming social stereotypes.
- Encouraging equal participation in decision-making.
The document is now available for public consultation on the "Strategy" portal.