In 2007, the nominal income of the average Bulgarian upped by 20-22 per cent compared with the previous year but as it was eaten by inflation, the actual increase stands at 8-10 per cent, Associate Professor Mariana Kotseva, Chairperson of the National Statistical Institute, said in Rousse on Tuesday.

The figures were obtained through a regular survey of 3,000 households in Bulgaria and crosschecked against information sheets provided by employers, BTA is reporting.

The main source of income are people's earnings, the survey showed. Largest is the increase of incomes earned in the public sectors. Pensions did not see any tangible increase.

In Rousse, in the fourth quarter of 2007, the average income rose by 21 leva from the previous three quarters of the year, said Galina Handjieva, Head of the Rousse Office of the National Statistical Institute. The average monthly income derived from the local public sector was 504 leva, and in the private sector 349 leva. A positive trend was observed - according to data provided by employers, those paid minimum wages were by 1,201 fewer.

Kotseva specified that the income data are still being processed and that the exact figures will be officially revealed later in Sofia.