The poverty line in the Burgas region in 2023. was BGN 604.71 on average per month per household member. This is shown by the annual survey “Statistics of income and living conditions (EU-SILC)” carried out by the National Statistical Institute.
With this size of the line, 17.6% of the population of the district were below the poverty line.
Compared to the previous year, the size of the poverty line for the district increased by 23.5%, and the relative share of the poor population decreased by 1.2%. In the Burgas region, the relative share of poverty among men is 18.5%, and among women – 16.6%. Compared to 2022, in the Burgas region, the share of the poor among men increased by 0.9 percentage points, while among women it decreased by 3.3.
The social protection system is essential for reducing poverty. The data for 2023 in the Burgas region show that if pension income is included in household income, but other social transfers are excluded, the poverty level rises from 17.6% to 25.0%, or by 7.4 percentage points.
Accordingly, when pensions and other social transfers are excluded, the poverty level for the district increases to 47.6%, or by 30.0 percentage points.
In 2023, the region of Sofia (the capital) has the highest poverty line – 990 BGN, with a poverty level of 22.2%, and the lowest poverty line is the region of Montana – 446 BGN, with a level of poverty 16.8%. In 2023, Burgas region ranks 8th in the country in terms of the poverty line – BGN 605, after Vratsa region (BGN 636) and before Smolyan region (BGN 602). In 2022, the district was in 9th place with BGN 489.
Material and social deprivation of households
Subjective indicators related to material deprivation are also included in the general poverty assessment indicators. They show the subjective assessment and personal attitudes of individuals and households regarding the possibilities to satisfy individual needs and wants.
Until 2020, nine questions related to the consumption of specific goods and services were used to assess household material deprivation. From 2021, a new indicator of severe material and social deprivation will be included, which indicates the lack of necessary and desirable items for leading a dignified life. It is calculated as the share of persons in the population who cannot afford 7 out of 13 indicators – 6 at the individual level and 7 at the household level
About 50% of households surveyed said they could afford an unexpected repair or holiday away from home. Over 18% had difficulty paying loans or housing rent, as well as paying utilities. Only 22% can afford meat or fish every other day. 21% answered that they can maintain a normal temperature in their home. Almost 10% have a car. 49% afford to replace furniture.
The conclusion is that in 2023, 20.7% of the population of the Burgas region lives in severe material and social deprivation (restrictions in 7 out of 13 indicators).
In 2023, 7.7 thousand persons aged 18-64 live in households with low intensity of economic activity, or 3.8% of the population, and compared to 2022, their relative share decreases by 0.5 percentage points.
In 2023, in the Burgas region, the relative share of children with material deprivation (deprived of at least one of 13 indicators) is 36.4%, and for 2.0% of the children, not a single need can be met due to financial reasons. 61.6% of children live without material deprivation.
In the Burgas region in 2023, 30.3% of the population, or 114.9 thousand persons, were at risk of poverty and social exclusion. The value of the indicator increases by 1.4 percentage points in the district compared to 2022.
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