The average monthly per capita living cost of a 4-member family in Bulgaria was 388 leva in the first quarter of this year. A family with two kids needed 1,552 leva a month to cover their basic needs in the period.

However, only ¼ of Bulgarian households disposed of such income, including hidden income, data of the Institute for Social and Syndical Research at the KNSB trade union shows.

Bulgarians spend most of their income on food and home maintenance, the institute’s director Lyuben Tomev told the Bulgarian National Radio.

The prices of basic food products such as bread, milk, rice, flour and cheese have increased since the beginning of the year.

214 leva a month were necessary to support a child in the first three months of the year versus 366 leva for teenagers (14-18 years of age).

Poverty line stands at 153 leva. About 39% of Bulgarians still live below this poverty line, Tomov pointed out.

This is a big share which should raise concern, because at one point recently it had shrunk to 25%.