Poverty among the elderly in Bulgaria: why the risk remains high in 2026

Older people in Bulgaria in 2026 also remain one of the most vulnerable groups at risk of poverty. The risk of poverty among the elderly in the country remains high: among people aged 60+ it reaches 25.5%, and among pensioners — 26.4%. For many, this does not simply mean a limited budget, but a constant choice between basic expenses — food, medicine, heating and bills.

"Why precisely the elderly"

The main reason for poverty among the elderly in Bulgaria is the insufficient adequacy of pensions compared to the real cost of living. The OECD points out that Bulgaria has the highest share of elderly people living in poverty among the EU countries, and the increase in living expenses makes the problem even more visible. When prices rise faster than incomes, even a regular pension ceases to be sufficient protection.

An additional factor is the difference between men and women at an older age. In the EU, women aged 65+ on average receive lower pensions than men, and in Bulgaria this difference is particularly painful because of the lower incomes during their working life and the greater likelihood of living alone in old age. This turns older women into one of the most vulnerable social groups.

"Statistics that show the scale"

The risk of poverty among the elderly in Bulgaria in 2024 was 25.5%, and among pensioners — 26.4%. In a broader context, the OECD notes that Bulgaria remains the country with the highest share of elderly people living in poverty among the EU countries.

The situation is also complicated by the fact that poverty among the elderly is not a short-term peak. Historical data show that this indicator reached 38.3% in 2020 and fell to 22.2% in 2023, but then remained at a high level again. This means that the problem does not disappear, but only fluctuates around already alarming values.

"Pensions and purchasing power"

In 2026, the average pension in Bulgaria, according to budget and expert estimates, should reach 541.20 euros, and its nominal growth is expected to be 8.5%. But this is not enough to completely eliminate the risk of poverty if inflation and basic expenses continue to put pressure on households.

According to budget data and expert materials, the average pension will increase, and the real growth after inflation can reach about 4.8%. This improvement looks positive, but for people with low pensions, even a small increase often goes to cover more expensive goods and services, and not for a better quality of life.

"Why older women are in a more difficult situation"

In the EU, women aged 65 and over are more likely to be at risk of poverty than men. At the European level, the reason is clear: women often have lower incomes during their lives, more interruptions in their work biography and, accordingly, lower pensions in old age.

In Bulgaria, this difference is particularly visible because older women live alone more often, rely only on a pension more often, and less often have additional income. As a result, even a small increase in the prices of medicines, heating or food can drastically worsen their daily situation.

"Forecast for the coming years"

According to current data, in the coming years, poverty among the elderly in Bulgaria will likely remain high, even if pensions continue to be indexed. The OECD warns that without a deeper reform of the pension system and without growth in real incomes, the problem with the adequacy of pensions will continue.

Experts believe that in the future, a key factor will not only be the size of pensions, but also the overall burden on the elderly: the prices of energy, medicines, housing and medical services. If these expenses grow faster than incomes, the risk of poverty among the elderly will not decrease significantly, even with a formal increase in payments.

"What this means for the country"

High poverty among the elderly is not only a social, but also an economic problem. It increases the pressure on the health system, increases the need for help from the state and the family, and leaves less and less space for a dignified and independent old age.

For Bulgaria, this means that the issue of pensions has long gone beyond the scope of accounting. It affects the quality of life, fairness, and whether a person will be able to live their old age without constant fear of the next bill or the pharmacy after decades of work.