Quarterly data

Time series : HH_2.1.2_en.xls

TOTAL HOUSEHOLD EXPENDITURE BY GROUP FOR FOURTH QUARTER OF 2023 AND 2024
Expenditure groups	Fourth quarter of 2023			Fourth quarter of 2024
Expenditure groups	Structure - %	Average per household - BGN	Average per capita - BGN	Structure - %	Average per household - BGN	Average per capita - BGN
Total expenditure	100.0	5 291.60	2 668.13	100.0	6 032.39	3 032.66
Consumer monetary expenditure	80.9	4 283.52	2 159.83	80.3	4 841.60	2 434.01
Foods and non-alcoholic beverages	29.9	1 581.72	797.53	29.3	1 765.60	887.62
Alcoholic beverages and tobacco	4.1	219.12	110.48	4.1	244.76	123.05
Clothing and footwear	4.2	220.04	110.95	4.1	248.95	125.15
Housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels	11.4	602.86	303.98	10.6	638.17	320.83
Furnishing and maintenance of the house	4.7	247.55	124.82	4.9	295.18	148.40
Health	6.5	345.22	174.07	6.0	361.69	181.83
Transport	7.4	391.36	197.33	7.2	436.69	219.54
Communication	4.1	214.77	108.29	4.2	255.88	128.64
Recreation, culture and education	4.3	228.28	115.10	5.2	311.44	156.57
Miscellaneous goods and services	4.4	232.58	117.27	4.7	283.23	142.39
Taxes	5.3	281.76	142.07	5.7	341.72	171.79
Social insurance contributions	7.8	412.67	208.08	8.3	502.85	252.79
Regular transfers to other households	1.1	58.00	29.24	0.9	56.60	28.45
Other expenditure	4.8	255.66	128.91	4.8	289.63	145.61
Saving deposits	x	392.41	197.86	x	498.02	250.37
Debt paid out and loan granted	x	105.42	53.15	x	140.66	70.71

18.02.2025

Chart

Methodology

INCOME, EXPENDITURE AND CONSUMPTION OF HOUSEHOLDS - Income, expenditure and consumption of households
Contact
Contact organisation	National Statistical Institute
Contact organisation unit	Statistics on Living Conditions Department
Contact name	Petia Manahova
Contact person function	State expert
Contact mail address	2, P. Volov Str.; 1038 Sofia, Bulgaria
Contact email address	PManahova@nsi.bg
Contact phone number	+359 2 9857 612
Contact fax number
Metadata update
Metadata last certified	24 April 2025
Metadata last posted	24 April 2025
Metadata last update	24 April 2025
Statistical presentation
Data description	The main objective of the household budget survey is to get reliable and scientifically founded data on the income, expenditure, consumption and other elements of the living standard of the population as well as changes which have occurred during the years. Household income includes all receipts of the household and its members during the surveyed period. The income is estimate in total and monetary form. Monetary income includes regular receipts from: wages and salaries, other earnings, entrepreneurship, property, pensions, social benefits, regular inter-household transfers, as well as sale of property and other irregular receipts. Total income includes monetary and valued income in kind. Household expenditure includes all resources spend by the household and its members during the surveyed period. The expenditures are estimated in total and monetary form. Monetary expenditure includes consumer expenditure on foods and non-alcoholic beverages; alcoholic beverages and tobacco; clothing and footwear; housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels; furnishing and maintenance of the house; health; transport; communication; recreation, culture and education; miscellaneous goods and services; as well as taxes, social insurance, regular intro-household transfers and other non-consumer expenditure. Total expenditure includes monetary and valued expenditure in kind. Variables of household incomes and expenditures are estimated average per household and per person and as structure. Household consumption includes the quantities of main foods and beverages consumed at home. The catering data are not included. The variables are estimated by the household budget survey are calculated by balance method and are presented average per person. Housing conditions variables are: type of dwelling, number of rooms, availability of water supply system, sewerage, electricity, bath and toilet. Durables observed are: cars, TV sets, washing machines, refrigerators and freezers, telephones, computers, air-conditioners and others.
Classification system	· Classification on household income; · Classification of Individual Consumption by Purpose; · International Standard Classification of Education (ISCED 2011); · National Classification of Occupations and Duties-2011 (NCOD-2011); · Classification of Economic Activities (CEA-2008, for international use NACE.BG-2008); · Classification of territorial units for statistical purposes in Bulgaria (NUTS).
Sector coverage	The Household Budget Survey is a sample survey by implementation of two stage cluster. The general population from which the sample for the survey is formed comprises all the households in the country. Institutional households are not studied by the household budget survey. The unit of observation is every randomly chosen ordinary household irrespective of the number of members and their material and personal status. The sample size since 2010 is 3060 households each quarter.
Statistical concepts and definitions	Gross income Gross household income is aggregated value of all regular incomes of the household and its members during the surveyed period from wages and salaries, other earnings, entrepreneurship, property, pensions, social benefits and regular inter-household transfers. Net income Net household income is calculated from gross income after deduction of tax and contribution to social insurance. Consumer expenditure The consumer expenditure of a household includes the expenditure done by the household for satisfaction of the necessities of the household as a whole or some household members. Household A private household consists of two or more persons living in a dwelling or part of dwelling and sharing common budget, having their meals together, no matter relatives or not. One person living in a dwelling, separate room or part of room on his/her own budget also is considered a household.
Statistical unit	Household (ordinary household).
Statistical population	The general population from which the sample is formed comprises all ordinary households in the country. Institutional households are not studied by the HBS.
Reference area	According to the Classification of territorial units for statistical purposes in Bulgaria (NUTS).
Time coverage	Up to 2009 (monthly and yearly data), since 2010 - quarterly and yearly data.
Base period	Not applicable.
Unit of measure
BGN, per cent (%), kg, litre, number, number of persons.
Reference period
Month (before 2009); Quarter (since 2010); Year
Institutional mandate
Legal acts and other agreements	Gentlemen agreement with Eurostat.
Data sharing	Not applicable.
Confidentiality
Confidentiality - policy	· Law on Statistics; · Regulation (EC) No 223/2009 on European statistics; · Regulation (EU) 2016/679 on the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data and on the free movement of such data; · Law on personal data protection.
Confidentiality - data treatment	Individual data are not published in accordance with article 25 of the Law on Statistics. The publishing of individual data can be performed only in accordance with article 26 of the same law and Rules for provision of anonymised individual data for scientific and research purposes.
Release policy
Release calendar	Dates for release are defined in the Release Calendar presenting the results of the statistical surveys carried out by the National Statistical Institute. Quarterly data on household income, expenditure and consumption is available 45 days after the reference period and annual data - in April of the year following the reference year.
Release calendar access	The calendar is available on the NSI website: https://www.nsi.bg/en/node/480
User access	Data is published on the NSI website, section Households Income, Expenditure and Consumption and in the INFOSTAT Information system in accordance with the Law on Statistics and the European Statistics Code of Practice respecting the professional independence and aimed at objectivity, transparency and equal treatment of all consumers.
Frequency of dissemination
Monthly (to 2009), Quarterly (since 2010), Annual
Accessibility and clarity
News release	Household income, expenditure and consumption - quarterly and yearly.
Publications	· Publication "Household Budgets in the Republic of Bulgaria" - detailed annual data for different household groups (by place of residence, by number of household members, by number of employed persons, by number of children under 18, by total annual income per person in the household, by presence of pensioners, by professional and economic status of the household head, by decile groups); · Publication "Average prices and purchased quantities of main foods and non-foods by households" - contains data on the average prices and purchased quantities foods and non-foods by households by years and by quarters. The information from the survey of household budgets is used and because of that these average prices differ from the consumer prices published by the NSI. The purchased quantities foods are computed average per household and the purchased non-foods - average per 100 households. Published are also data on the purchasing power of households calculated by means of total and monetary income, as well as the changes in the purchasing power. · Booklet "Household Budget Survey"; · General Publications of the NSI.
On-line database	Detailed results on Household Budgets are available to all users of the NSI website under the heading Households Income, Expenditure and Consumption: https://www.nsi.bg/en/node/5640 and in the INFOSTAT Information system: https://infostat.nsi.bg/infostat/pages/module.jsf?x_2=27.
Micro-data access	Anonymised individual data can be provide for scientific and research purposes, and for individual request according to the Rules for the provision of anonymised individual data for scientific and research purposes.
Other	Information service on request, according to the Rules for the dissemination of statistical products and services in NSI.
Documentation on methodology	· Methodology and organisation of the household budgets survey: https://www.nsi.bg/sites/default/files/files/metadata/HH_HBS_Metodology_en.pdf · Instruction for interviewers of Household budget survey.
Quality documentation	Eurostat's quality reports of the Household Budget Survey in EU countries, 2005, 2010, 2015 and 2019.
Quality management
Quality assurance	Through checking on field work and control of the thoroughness of the records in the diaries.
Quality assessment	Data are accompanied with quality reports analyzing the accuracy, coherence and comparability of the data.
Relevance
User needs	The data is of interest to a wide number of users - state authorities, public and international organizations (Eurostat, UN, UNICEF, ILO, etc), students and others.
User satisfaction	Consultations with users: The survey toolkit is updated according to Eurostat's methodological recommendations. The methodology is coordinated with other departments of the NSI using data from the household budget survey. NSI experts participate in working groups of different ministries and departments in order to provide the necessary statistical information. Queries are made regarding household budget survey data, in agreement with the users.
Completeness	Not applicable.
Accuracy and reliability
Overall accuracy	As with any other sample survey, HBS may be burdened with errors due to sampling and other relating to the inability to be interviewed some of the units in the sample, as well as the errors taking place at the stage of data recording, data processing, etc.
Sampling error	The sampling errors calculated for main variables are published in annual publication "Household Budgets in the Republic of Bulgaria".
Non-sampling error	Like any statistical survey and household budget survey may contain non-sampling errors that arise at different stages of the study and which cannot be completely eliminated. Such errors are basically: · coverage errors · measurement errors that occur at the time of data collection · processing errors · non-response errors In order to reduce non-sampling errors: · update of the household lists for each of the first stage selection census enumeration areas; · development of a clear research methodology, ongoing updating of data coding systems; · using interviewers with experience in collecting, controlling, encoding and inputting data; · conducting regular training seminars for the interviewers; · assistance to the interviewers of the survey team at NSI; · data control at the collection, input, and processing stage.
Timeliness and punctuality
Timeliness	Quarterly data are published 45 days after the reference period. Annual data are published in April of the year following the reference year.
Punctuality	The deadlines are observed: for quarterly data - 45 days after the reporting period, and for the annual ones - four months after the accounting year.
Coherence and comparability
Comparability - geographical	Not applicable.
Comparability - over time	Long time series.
Coherence - cross domain	Household budget survey is consistent with Consumer Price Index, Purchasing Power Parity and National Accounts. Additional analyzes are carried out to ensure consistency with the survey on income and living conditions.
Coherence - internal
Cost and burden
Every household takes part in the survey once a quarter.
Data revision
Data revision - policy	Not applicable.
Data revision - practice	Not applicable.
Statistical processing
Source data	The general population from which the sample for the survey is formed comprises all the ordinary households in the country. When forming the sample a two stage cluster’s sampling on a territorial principle is implemented as follows: at the first stage the clusters are selected (enumeration areas from the last Census); at the second stage the households to be surveyed are identified. Up to 2009 the selection of territorial units is done with a probability proportional to their size. Since 2010 non-proportional selection has applied in order to produce more accurate sample data in the small regions where the minimum quarter size of the sample include no less 72 households at the expense of decrease of the number of households in the large regions - Sofia (stolitsa), Plovdiv and Varna. In the selected enumeration areas (clusters) lists of the household are prepared and they are arranged into ascending order, depending on the number of persons. This indicator has a close correlation with the surveyed indicators - income, expenditure, and consumption per capita. 6 households from these lists are chosen from each cluster with a selection step. Since 2010 the sample size has been 3 060 households divided in three sub-samples each containing 1 020 households. Each sub-sample is surveyed one month per quarter by application of the method of rotation sample. The household budget survey applies the principle of the voluntary participation of households which had randomly come into the sample. Every randomly selected household which is not willing or is not able to cooperate is replaced with another from the same cluster and with the same number of members. Main documents of the Household budget survey are: Household dairy; Three questionnaires.
Frequency of data collection	Monthly (to 2009), quarterly (since 2010)
Data collection	Data collection methods · method of writing down the data by one of the members of the observed household · method of the interview between the interviewer and the members of the household. The surveyed households keep a regular record in the Household Diary on: · total daily monetary expenditure per month for food products, non-food products, services and others; · all monetary incomes from working salary, social insurance, home production and others; · supply in kind and use of food products and non-food goods; · manufactured raw materials and products obtained from the processing; · number of people who had meals. Since 2010 the households have kept retrospective records on: · irregular expenditure on non-foods during the previous two months; · some irregular income during the previous two months. By interview data are collected on: · social demographic characteristics of the household and its members · availability of facilities and durables at the dwelling · availability of food products at the beginning of the month of observation and residues at the end of the month · the presence of farm animals in the household. The interviewers visit the household several times a month. During these visits they have a detailed conversation with the members of the household, check the completeness and reliability of the data entered into the diary.
Data validation	In the process of entering information, logical control of the received information is performed.
Data compilation	Data processing is done with specially developed software for the research. The information from the household budget survey is processed monthly at the Statistical Survey Departments of NSI regional offices and NSI and is summarized quarterly and annually in the NSI. Monthly control tables, quarterly, and annual estimates are obtained. *Monthly processing includes:* • input and control of collected data for each household observed during the month; • summarizing the data for the individual household from the different input documents and forming an individual household budget; • data control for the individual household budgets; • applying methodologies for calculating additional result variables: in kind expenditures of the household by type of expenditure in kind income of the household by sources of income an equivalent household size • obtaining tables with control monthly assessments of the main indicators for the survey; *Quarterly processing includes:* • aggregation of monthly data; • applying methodologies for assessing individual household data for the two months during which they were not directly observed; • obtaining tables with quarterly estimates of the main indicators for the survey. *Annual processing includes:* • aggregation of quarterly data; • applying methodologies to add retrospective data for the months when households are not directly observed; • obtaining tables with final quarterly estimates of the main indicators for the survey; • obtaining tables with annual estimates of the main indicators for the survey.
Adjustment	Not applicable.
Comment

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INCOME, EXPENDITURE AND CONSUMPTION OF HOUSEHOLDS - Income, expenditure and consumption of households

Contact

Contact organisation

National Statistical Institute

Contact organisation unit

Statistics on Living Conditions Department

Contact name

Petia Manahova

Contact person function

State expert

Contact mail address

2, P. Volov Str.; 1038 Sofia, Bulgaria

Contact email address

PManahova@nsi.bg

Contact phone number

+359 2 9857 612

Contact fax number

Statistical presentation

Data description

The main objective of the household budget survey is to get reliable and scientifically founded data on the income, expenditure, consumption and other elements of the living standard of the population as well as changes which have occurred during the years.

Household income includes all receipts of the household and its members during the surveyed period. The income is estimate in total and monetary form. Monetary income includes regular receipts from: wages and salaries, other earnings, entrepreneurship, property, pensions, social benefits, regular inter-household transfers, as well as sale of property and other irregular receipts. Total income includes monetary and valued income in kind.

Household expenditure includes all resources spend by the household and its members during the surveyed period. The expenditures are estimated in total and monetary form. Monetary expenditure includes consumer expenditure on foods and non-alcoholic beverages; alcoholic beverages and tobacco; clothing and footwear; housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels; furnishing and maintenance of the house; health; transport; communication; recreation, culture and education; miscellaneous goods and services; as well as taxes, social insurance, regular intro-household transfers and other non-consumer expenditure. Total expenditure includes monetary and valued expenditure in kind.

Variables of household incomes and expenditures are estimated average per household and per person and as structure.

Household consumption includes the quantities of main foods and beverages consumed at home. The catering data are not included. The variables are estimated by the household budget survey are calculated by balance method and are presented average per person.

Housing conditions variables are: type of dwelling, number of rooms, availability of water supply system, sewerage, electricity, bath and toilet.

Durables observed are: cars, TV sets, washing machines, refrigerators and freezers, telephones, computers, air-conditioners and others.

Classification system

· Classification on household income;

· Classification of Individual Consumption by Purpose;

· International Standard Classification of Education (ISCED 2011);

· National Classification of Occupations and Duties-2011 (NCOD-2011);

· Classification of Economic Activities (CEA-2008, for international use NACE.BG-2008);

· Classification of territorial units for statistical purposes in Bulgaria (NUTS).

Sector coverage

The Household Budget Survey is a sample survey by implementation of two stage cluster. The general population from which the sample for the survey is formed comprises all the households in the country. Institutional households are not studied by the household budget survey. The unit of observation is every randomly chosen ordinary household irrespective of the number of members and their material and personal status. The sample size since 2010 is 3060 households each quarter.

Statistical concepts and definitions

Gross income

Gross household income is aggregated value of all regular incomes of the household and its members during the surveyed period from wages and salaries, other earnings, entrepreneurship, property, pensions, social benefits and regular inter-household transfers.

Net income

Net household income is calculated from gross income after deduction of tax and contribution to social insurance.

Consumer expenditure

The consumer expenditure of a household includes the expenditure done by the household for satisfaction of the necessities of the household as a whole or some household members.

Household

A private household consists of two or more persons living in a dwelling or part of dwelling and sharing common budget, having their meals together, no matter relatives or not.

One person living in a dwelling, separate room or part of room on his/her own budget also is considered a household.

Statistical unit

Household (ordinary household).

Statistical population

The general population from which the sample is formed comprises all ordinary households in the country.

Institutional households are not studied by the HBS.

Reference area

According to the Classification of territorial units for statistical purposes in Bulgaria (NUTS).

Time coverage

Up to 2009 (monthly and yearly data), since 2010 - quarterly and yearly data.

Base period

Not applicable.

Statistical processing

Source data

The general population from which the sample for the survey is formed comprises all the ordinary households in the country.

When forming the sample a two stage cluster’s sampling on a territorial principle is implemented as follows:

at the first stage the clusters are selected (enumeration areas from the last Census);
at the second stage the households to be surveyed are identified.

Up to 2009 the selection of territorial units is done with a probability proportional to their size. Since 2010 non-proportional selection has applied in order to produce more accurate sample data in the small regions where the minimum quarter size of the sample include no less 72 households at the expense of decrease of the number of households in the large regions - Sofia (stolitsa), Plovdiv and Varna.

In the selected enumeration areas (clusters) lists of the household are prepared and they are arranged into ascending order, depending on the number of persons. This indicator has a close correlation with the surveyed indicators - income, expenditure, and consumption per capita. 6 households from these lists are chosen from each cluster with a selection step.

Since 2010 the sample size has been 3 060 households divided in three sub-samples each containing 1 020 households. Each sub-sample is surveyed one month per quarter by application of the method of rotation sample.

The household budget survey applies the principle of the voluntary participation of households which had randomly come into the sample. Every randomly selected household which is not willing or is not able to cooperate is replaced with another from the same cluster and with the same number of members.

Main documents of the Household budget survey are:

Household dairy;
Three questionnaires.

Frequency of data collection

Monthly (to 2009), quarterly (since 2010)

Data collection

Data collection methods

· method of writing down the data by one of the members of the observed household

· method of the interview between the interviewer and the members of the household.

The surveyed households keep a regular record in the Household Diary on:

· total daily monetary expenditure per month for food products, non-food products, services and others;

· all monetary incomes from working salary, social insurance, home production and others;

· supply in kind and use of food products and non-food goods;

· manufactured raw materials and products obtained from the processing;

· number of people who had meals.

Since 2010 the households have kept retrospective records on:

· irregular expenditure on non-foods during the previous two months;

· some irregular income during the previous two months.

By interview data are collected on:

· social demographic characteristics of the household and its members

· availability of facilities and durables at the dwelling

· availability of food products at the beginning of the month of observation and residues at the end of the month

· the presence of farm animals in the household.

The interviewers visit the household several times a month. During these visits they have a detailed conversation with the members of the household, check the completeness and reliability of the data entered into the diary.

Data validation

In the process of entering information, logical control of the received information is performed.

Data compilation

Data processing is done with specially developed software for the research.

The information from the household budget survey is processed monthly at the Statistical Survey Departments of NSI regional offices and NSI and is summarized quarterly and annually in the NSI. Monthly control tables, quarterly, and annual estimates are obtained.

Monthly processing includes:

• input and control of collected data for each household observed during the month;

• summarizing the data for the individual household from the different input documents and forming an individual household budget;

• data control for the individual household budgets;

• applying methodologies for calculating additional result variables:

in kind expenditures of the household by type of expenditure
in kind income of the household by sources of income
an equivalent household size

• obtaining tables with control monthly assessments of the main indicators for the survey;

Quarterly processing includes:

• aggregation of monthly data;
• applying methodologies for assessing individual household data for the two months during which they were not directly observed;
• obtaining tables with quarterly estimates of the main indicators for the survey.

Annual processing includes:

• aggregation of quarterly data;

• applying methodologies to add retrospective data for the months when households are not directly observed;

• obtaining tables with final quarterly estimates of the main indicators for the survey;

• obtaining tables with annual estimates of the main indicators for the survey.

Adjustment

Not applicable.

Quality management

Quality assurance

Through checking on field work and control of the thoroughness of the records in the diaries.

Quality assessment

Data are accompanied with quality reports analyzing the accuracy, coherence and comparability of the data.

Relevance

User needs

The data is of interest to a wide number of users - state authorities, public and international organizations (Eurostat, UN, UNICEF, ILO, etc), students and others.

User satisfaction

Consultations with users:

The survey toolkit is updated according to Eurostat's methodological recommendations.

The methodology is coordinated with other departments of the NSI using data from the household budget survey.

NSI experts participate in working groups of different ministries and departments in order to provide the necessary statistical information.

Queries are made regarding household budget survey data, in agreement with the users.

Completeness

Not applicable.

Data completeness - rate

Not applicable.

Accuracy and reliability

Overall accuracy

As with any other sample survey, HBS may be burdened with errors due to sampling and other relating to the inability to be interviewed some of the units in the sample, as well as the errors taking place at the stage of data recording, data processing, etc.

Sampling error

The sampling errors calculated for main variables are published in annual publication "Household Budgets in the Republic of Bulgaria".

Sampling errors - indicators

Maximal errors of household monetary income and expenditures for quarters of 2024

	(Per cent)
	I quarter	II quarter	III quarter	IV quarter
Monetary income	2.1	3.6	3.2	3.8
Monetary gross income	2.4	3.2	3.2	3.7
Wages and salaries	2.3	5.7	6.2	8.1
Other earnings	32.2	44.3	42.5	36.9
Self-employment income	23.6	29.9	32.3	34.4
Property income	137.8	87.0	64.8	41.2
Pensions	3.9	3.4	4.4	4.5
Unemployment benefits	40.5	54.7	59.3	60.6
Family allowances	34.2	36.2	28.2	26.4
Other social benefits	35.1	30.5	41.3	38.3
Regular transfers from other households	28.9	38.9	29.2	44.4
Receipt sale	100.5	142.3	66.6	110.0
Miscellaneous	16.2	22.3	17.6	27.4

Monetary expenditure	3.4	4.1	4.3	2.9
Consumer monetary expenditure	3.2	3.8	3.9	2.4
Foods and non-alcoholic beverages	1.6	2.7	2.9	2.3
Alcoholic beverages and tobacco	4.1	6.0	4.6	5.7
Clothing and footwear	9.5	14.0	9.1	9.2
Housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels	3.2	4.8	6.7	3.9
Furnishing and maintenance of the house	6.1	8.8	17.5	11.4
Health	7.7	5.6	7.2	13.8
Transport	8.4	10.8	22.7	11.5
Communication	4.7	3.9	4.7	3.3
Recreation, culture and education	18.3	19.8	17.2	10.6
Miscellaneous goods and services	7.8	9.7	7.6	12.9
Taxes	4.4	6.8	4.9	5.3
Social insurance contributions	2.3	4.9	4.6	4.6
Regular transfers to others households	15.3	20.0	18.0	19.8
Other expenditure	35.8	29.9	38.2	19.4

Non-sampling error

Like any statistical survey and household budget survey may contain non-sampling errors that arise at different stages of the study and which cannot be completely eliminated.

Such errors are basically:

· coverage errors

· measurement errors that occur at the time of data collection

· processing errors

· non-response errors

In order to reduce non-sampling errors:

· update of the household lists for each of the first stage selection census enumeration areas;

· development of a clear research methodology, ongoing updating of data coding systems;

· using interviewers with experience in collecting, controlling, encoding and inputting data;

· conducting regular training seminars for the interviewers;

· assistance to the interviewers of the survey team at NSI;

· data control at the collection, input, and processing stage.

Coverage error

Some of the sampled households cannot be found at the address. In order to preserve the sample size, the principle of substitution applies to these households.

Replaced households not contacted in 2024

Reasons for replacement	2024
Reasons for replacement	Number of replacements	% from the sample
Not contacted	1415	46.2
Not found or do not live at the address	246	8.0
Absent or impossible access	1169	38.2

Over-coverage - rate

Not applicable.

Common units - proportion

Not applicable.

Measurement error

At the data collection stage, errors may also occur:

· inaccurate or incomplete answers from respondents - to minimize these errors, interviewers check the correctness and completeness of the records by asking additional reminders;

· improperly recorded data from the interviewers - a large number of arithmetic and logic controls have been introduced in the processing programs to limit this type of error.

Non response error

Some of the households in the sample do not want or cannot participate in the survey for a variety of reasons:

· skepticism in respect of the survey objectives

· skepticism in respect of the official institutions

· suspicion in preserving anonymity

· insufficient remuneration for participation

· lack of time

· other reasons for refusal

· poor health

· lack of communication with the household because of misunderstanding and non-communication in Bulgarian

· other reasons

To reduce the negative impact on estimates of non-response, the household budget survey uses the substitution principle.Every randomly selected household which is not willing or is not able to cooperate is replaced with another from the same cluster and with the same number of members.

Unit non-response - rate

Non-respondent (replaced) households in 2024 by reasons

Reasons for replacement	2024
Reasons for replacement	Number of replacements	% from the sample
Non-responded	712	23.3
Refusals	552	18.1
Poor health	113	3.7
Misunderstanding and non-communication in Bulgarian	19	0.6
Other reasons	28	0.9

Replaced households due to refusal in 2024 by refusal reasons

Reasons for refusal	2024
Reasons for refusal	Number of replacements	% from the sample
Refusals - total	552	18.1
Skepticism and suspicion	149	4.9
Skepticism in respect of the survey objectives	65	2.1
Skepticism in respect of the official institutions	70	2.3
Suspicion in preserving anonymity	14	0.5
Insufficient remuneration for participation	64	2.1
Lack of time	330	10.8
Other reasons	9	0.3

Item non-response - rate

Not applicable.

Processing error

In order to minimize possible errors, a large number of arithmetic and logical controls are included in the programs for input and processing of household budget survey data. For example:

- For the items of the monetary expenses for which they are registered quantities and values, upon data entry automatically is calculated price and it is checked whether the price is within minimum and maximum price limits.

- Ownership of the dwelling is tied to the payment or not of rent for a dwelling, and the availability of central heating - respectively the paid bills for heating.

- A logical link is established between the registered economic activity of the person and the corresponding type of income received by him as salary, pension, compensation etc.

- Completed or ongoing education is tied to the age of the person.

- The presence of farm animals of a given species is associated with the products derived therefrom such as milk, eggs, meat, honey, wool.

All arithmetic and logical controls are detailed in the study's terms of reference.

Imputation - rate

Not applicable.

Model assumption error

Not applicable.

Seasonal adjustment

Not applicable.

Data revision - policy

Not applicable.

Data revision - practice

Not applicable.

Data revision - average size

Not applicable.

Timeliness and punctuality

Timeliness

Quarterly data are published 45 days after the reference period.

Annual data are published in April of the year following the reference year.

Time lag - first results

First annual results are available 4 months after the end of the surveyed year.

Time lag - final results

Final results are available 12 months after the end of the surveyed year.

Punctuality

The deadlines are observed: for quarterly data - 45 days after the reporting period, and for the annual ones - four months after the accounting year.

Punctuality - delivery and publication

Not applicable.

Coherence and comparability

Comparability - geographical

Not applicable.

Asymmetry for mirror flows statistics - coefficient

Not applicable.

Comparability - over time

Long time series.

Length of comparable time series

Not required.

Coherence - cross domain

Household budget survey is consistent with Consumer Price Index, Purchasing Power Parity and National Accounts. Additional analyzes are carried out to ensure consistency with the survey on income and living conditions.

Coherence - sub annual and annual statistics

		(Per cent)
	Household Budget Survey 2024	Survey on income and living conditions 2024 (Unweighted)
Households type
One person household	41.1	36.2
Two persons household	34.4	32.6
Three persons household	12.5	14.6
Four and more person household	12.0	16.6
Structure of population by age
0-15	11.5	10.3
16-24	6.1	8.2
25-49	26.2	25.1
50-64	21.8	24.2
65+	34.4	32.2
Activity status
Employed	41.8	42.4
Unemployed	4.8	5.0
Economically inactive	53.4	52.6
Status in employment
Employer	1.8	3.6
Self-employed	8.6	5.7
Employee	89.5	90.4
Family worker	0.1	0.3
Structure of population by level of education
Primary education	2.5	4.3
Lower secondary	14.7	19.3
Upper secondary	57.1	53.6
Tertiary education	25.7	22.8
Dwelling type
Detached house	38.5	48.1
Semidetached house	7.7	10.0
Apartment or flat	53.5	41.7
Some other kind of accommodation	0.3	0.2

Coherence - National Accounts

The structure of consumer expenditures from household budget survey for the 12 major COICOP classification groups is compared with a similar structure, calculated from a National Accounts database.

Coherence - internal

Accessibility and clarity

News release

Household income, expenditure and consumption - quarterly and yearly.

Publications

· Publication "Household Budgets in the Republic of Bulgaria" - detailed annual data for different household groups (by place of residence, by number of household members, by number of employed persons, by number of children under 18, by total annual income per person in the household, by presence of pensioners, by professional and economic status of the household head, by decile groups);

· Publication "Average prices and purchased quantities of main foods and non-foods by households" - contains data on the average prices and purchased quantities foods and non-foods by households by years and by quarters. The information from the survey of household budgets is used and because of that these average prices differ from the consumer prices published by the NSI. The purchased quantities foods are computed average per household and the purchased non-foods - average per 100 households. Published are also data on the purchasing power of households calculated by means of total and monetary income, as well as the changes in the purchasing power.

· Booklet "Household Budget Survey";

· General Publications of the NSI.

On-line database

Detailed results on Household Budgets are available to all users of the NSI website under the heading Households Income, Expenditure and Consumption: https://www.nsi.bg/en/node/5640

and in the INFOSTAT Information system: https://infostat.nsi.bg/infostat/pages/module.jsf?x_2=27.

Data tables - consultations

Micro-data access

Anonymised individual data can be provide for scientific and research purposes, and for individual request according to the Rules for the provision of anonymised individual data for scientific and research purposes.

Other

Information service on request, according to the Rules for the dissemination of statistical products and services in NSI.

Metadata - consultations

Documentation on methodology

· Methodology and organisation of the household budgets survey:

https://www.nsi.bg/sites/default/files/files/metadata/HH_HBS_Metodology_en.pdf

· Instruction for interviewers of Household budget survey.

Metadata completeness – rate

Quality documentation

Eurostat's quality reports of the Household Budget Survey in EU countries, 2005, 2010, 2015 and 2019.

Cost and burden

Every household takes part in the survey once a quarter.

Confidentiality

Confidentiality - policy

· Law on Statistics;

· Regulation (EC) No 223/2009 on European statistics;

· Regulation (EU) 2016/679 on the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data and on the free movement of such data;

· Law on personal data protection.

Confidentiality – data treatment

Individual data are not published in accordance with article 25 of the Law on Statistics. The publishing of individual data can be performed only in accordance with article 26 of the same law and Rules for provision of anonymised individual data for scientific and research purposes.

Comment

Download in SDMX 2.1 file format: INCOME, EXPENDITURE AND CONSUMPTION OF HOUSEHOLDS - Income, expenditure and consumption of households

Metadata Structure Definition in SDMX 2.1: ESQRS_MSD+BNSI+2.0+SDMX.2.1.xml

Download in SDMX 2.0 file format: INCOME, EXPENDITURE AND CONSUMPTION OF HOUSEHOLDS - Income, expenditure and consumption of households

Metadata Structure Definition in SDMX 2.0: ESQRS_MSD+BNSI+2.0+SDMX.2.0.xml

Income, Expenditure and Consumption of Households in 2024

Thursday, 17 April 2025 - 11:00

According to data from the Household Budget Survey, the annual total income average per capita was 12 857 BGN in 2024, there was an increase of 18.5% compared to 2023.

Bulgarian households spent an average of 11 712 BGN per capita in 2023, or 16.6% more compared to 2023.

In 2024, there were changes in the consumption of basic food products on average per person compared to 2023. The consumption of bread and paste products and of potatoes decreased. The biggest increase was in the consumption of soft drinks, fruit, and meat.

...

HBS2024_en_RVAQ7OA.pdf

Household Income, Expenditure and Consumption during the Fourth Quarter of 2024

Tuesday, 18 February 2025 - 11:00

According to data from the Household Budget Survey, during the fourth quarter of 2024 the quarterly total income average per household member was 3 371 BGN and it increased by 17.6% compared to the same quarter of 2023.

The quarterly total expenditure average per household member during the fourth quarter of 2024 was 3 033 BGN and increased by 13.7% compared to the same quarter of 2023.

In the fourth quarter of 2024, there were changes in the consumption of basic food products on average per person compared to the same quarter ...

HBS2024q4_en_JMDS7SJ.pdf

Household Income, Expenditure and Consumption during the Third Quarter of 2024

Thursday, 14 November 2024 - 11:00

According to data from the Household Budget Survey, during the third quarter of 2024 the quarterly total income average per household member was 3 351 BGN and it increased by 16.6% compared to the same quarter of 2023.

The quarterly total expenditure average per household member during the third quarter of 2024 was 3 153 BGN and increased by 16.2% compared to the same quarter of 2023.

In the third quarter of 2024, there were changes in the consumption of basic food products on average per person compared to the...

HBS2024q3_en_Z91KAA1.pdf

Household Income, Expenditure and Consumption during the Second Quarter of 2024

Wednesday, 14 August 2024 - 11:00

According to data from the Household Budget Survey, during the second quarter of 2024 the quarterly total income average per household member was 3 216 BGN and it increased by 20.5% compared to the same quarter of 2023.

The quarterly total expenditure average per household member during the second quarter of 2024 was 2 826 BGN and increased by 18.8% compared to the same quarter of 2023.

In the second quarter of 2024, there were changes in the consumption of basic food products on average per person compared to ...

HBS2024q2_en_WNONU29.pdf

Household Income, Expenditure and Consumption during the First Quarter of 2024

Friday, 17 May 2024 - 11:00

According to data from the Household Budget Survey, the quarterly total income average per household member during the first quarter of 2024 was 2 840 BGN and increased by 18.6% compared to the same quarter of 2023.

The quarterly total expenditure average per household member during the first quarter of 2024 was 2 524 BGN and increased by 17.4% compared to the same quarter of 2023.

In the first quarter of 2024, there were changes in the consumption of basic food products on average per person compared to the same quarter of 2023. The biggest increase was in the...

HBS2024q1_en_AJRLF50.pdf

Income, Expenditure and Consumption of Households in 2023

Thursday, 18 April 2024 - 11:00

According to data from the Household Budget Survey, the annual total income average per capita is 10 846 BGN in 2023, an increase of 20.4% compared to 2022.

Bulgarian households spent an average of 10 044 BGN per capita in 2023, or 19.7% more compared to 2022.

In 2023, there were changes in the consumption of basic food products on average per person compared to 2022. The biggest decrease was in the consumption of bread and paste products and yoghurt. The consumption of meat products, of fruit, of non-alcoholic beverages, and of alcoholic beverages increased.

T...

HBS2023_en_G2ERE8T.pdf

Household Income, Expenditure and Consumption during the Fourth Quarter of 2023

Friday, 16 February 2024 - 11:00

According to data from the Household Budget Survey, the quarterly total income average per household member during the fourth quarter of 2023 is 2 866 BGN and increases by 18.1% compared to the same quarter of 2022.

The quarterly total expenditure average per household member during the fourth quarter of 2023 is 2 668 BGN and increases by 18.1% compared to the same quarter of 2022.

The consumption of most basic food products on average per household member during the fourth quarter of 2023 changes compared to t...

HBS2023q4_en_S7YBT20.pdf

Additional questionnaire under the Household Budget Survey in the Third Quarter of 2023

Tuesday, 5 December 2023 - 11:00

According to data from the additional questionnaire under the Household Budget Survey in the third quarter of 2023, the income of 31.7% of households increased compared to the previous 12 months. The share of individuals who have difficulty covering their daily expenses is 70.1%, which is almost the same compared to the previous quarter.

The survey is conducted under the project ‘Income and Living Conditions (ILC) - Statistical infrastructure under IESS - SILC 2024, 6-year module ‘Access to services’ - Pilot collection of annual data for 2023’ under Grant Agreement with the Europe...

HBS2023q3_en_GOE8KNE.pdf

Household Income, Expenditure and Consumption during the Third Quarter of 2023

Thursday, 16 November 2023 - 11:00

According to data from the Household Budget Survey, the quarterly total income average per household member during the third quarter of 2023 is 2 874 BGN and increases by 22.5% compared to the same quarter of 2022.

The quarterly total expenditure average per household member during the third quarter of 2023 is 2 714 BGN and increases by 21.2% compared to the same quarter of 2022.

The consumption of most basic food products on average per household member during the third quarter of 2023 decreased compared to the sam...

HBS2023q3_en_VEGMI10.pdf

Additional questionnaire under the Household Budget Survey in the Second Quarter of 2023

Wednesday, 23 August 2023 - 11:00

According to data from the additional questionnaire under the Household Budget Survey in the second quarter of 2023, the income of 78.0% of households remained unchanged compared to the previous 12 months. 70.6% of respondents have difficulties in covering daily expenses, but they decreased by 6.2 percentage points compared to the previous quarter. Nearly 1/4 of people limit their energy consumption.

The survey is conducted under the project ‘Income and Living Conditions (ILC) - Statistical infrastructure under IESS - SILC 2024, 6-year module ‘Access to services’ - ...

HBS2023q2_en_32IYS1S.pdf

Household Budgets in the Republic of Bulgaria 2023

Friday, 2 August 2024 - 11:00

The National Statistical Institute presents to users of statistical information the bilingual (Bulgarian/English) publication Household budgets in the Republic of Bulgaria 2023.

The edition contains data from the sample survey of household budgets in Bulgaria for the 2014 - 2023 period. The survey has been conducted quarterly, with 3 060 households monitored each month. The publication presents the results from the survey of households and their budgets: structure of the households and their members by socio-demographic characteristics, amount of income by sources...

Average Prices and Purchased Quantities of Main Foods and Non-Foods by Households for the 2012 - 2023 period

Thursday, 4 July 2024 - 11:00

The National Statistical Institute presents to the users of statistical information the electronic bilingual (Bulgarian/English) publication ‘Average Prices and Purchased Quantities of Main Foods and Non-Foods by Households for the 2012 - 2023 Period’.

The publication contains data on the average prices and purchased quantities of foods and non-foods by households by year for the 2012 - 2023 period and by quarters of 2023. The information from the monthly survey of household budgets is used and because of that, these average prices differ from the a...

Statistical Yearbook 2023

Monday, 3 June 2024 - 10:00

The National Statistical Institute (NSI) has the pleasure to present to the attention of national and foreign users of statistical information the 91-st edition of the ‘Statistical Yearbook of the Republic of Bulgaria’ in printed format.

It provides current statistical information about the demographic, economic and social development of the country for 2017 - 2022 in different territorial and classification aggregations and breakdowns.

According to the Law on Statistics, official source of information in the Republic of Bulgaria is the National Statistical Sys...

The leaflet "Household Budget Survey"

Monday, 11 December 2023 - 12:25

The National Statistical Institute offers to the attention of users and respondents the leaflet "Household Budget Survey".

The observation of household budgets is the oldest sample statistical study in Bulgaria, conducted annually since 1953. It provides information on the income, expenses, consumption and other elements of the population's living standard over the years.

The edition presents a description of the methodology and essence of the "Household Budget Survey" - what is the monitoring, who carries it out, how many households participate, how are the households s...

Average Prices and Purchased Quantities of Main Foods and Non-Foods by Households for the 2011 - 2022 period

Wednesday, 2 August 2023 - 09:00

The National Statistical Institute presents to users of statistical information the electronic bilingual (Bulgarian/English) publication Average Prices and Purchased Quantities of Main Foods and Non-Foods by Households for the 2011 - 2022 Period.

The publication contains data on the average prices and purchased quantities of foods and non-foods by households by year for the 2011 - 2022 period and by quarters of 2022. The information from the monthly survey of household budgets is used and because of that, these average prices differ from the ave...

Household Budgets in the Republic of Bulgaria 2022

Wednesday, 2 August 2023 - 09:00

The National Statistical Institute presents to users of statistical information the bilingual (Bulgarian/English) publication Household budgets in the Republic of Bulgaria 2022.

The edition contains data from the sample survey of household budgets in Bulgaria for the 2013 - 2022 period. The survey has been conducted quarterly, with 3 060 households monitored each month. The publication presents the results from the survey of households and their budgets: structure of the households and their members by socio-demographic characteristics, amount of inc...

Statistical Yearbook 2022

Wednesday, 7 June 2023 - 09:00

The National Statistical Institute (NSI) has the pleasure to present to the attention of national and foreign users of statistical information the 90th edition of the ‘Statistical Yearbook of the Republic of Bulgaria’ in printed format.

It provides current statistical information about the demographic, economic and social development of the country for 2016 - 2021 in different territorial and classification aggregations and breakdowns.

According to the Law on Statistics, official source of information in the Republic of Bulgaria is the National Statistical ...

Average Prices and Purchased Quantities of Main Foods and Non-Foods by Households for the 2010 - 2021 period

Thursday, 18 August 2022 - 14:45

The publication contains data on the average prices and purchased quantities of foods and non-foods by households by years for the 2010 - 2021 period and by quarters of 2021. The information from the monthly survey of household budgets is used and because of that, these average prices differ from averag...

Household Budgets in the Republic of Bulgaria 2021

Thursday, 18 August 2022 - 13:45

The National Statistical Institute presents to users of statistical information the bilingual (Bulgarian/English) publication Household budgets in the Republic of Bulgaria 2021.

The edition contains data from the sample survey of household budgets in Bulgaria for the 2012 - 2021 period. The survey has been conducted quarterly, with 3 060 households monitored each month. The publication presents the results from the survey of households and their budgets: structure of the households and their members by socio-demographic characteristics, amount of inc...

Statistical Yearbook 2021

Thursday, 2 June 2022 - 11:30

The National Statistical Institute (NSI) has the pleasure to present to the attention of national and foreign users of statistical information the 89^th edition of the ‘Statistical Yearbook of the Republic of Bulgaria’ in printed and electronic format.

It provides current statistical information about the demographic, economic and social development of the country for 2015 - 2020 in different territorial and classification aggregations and breakdowns.

According to the Law on Statistics, official source of information in the Republic of Bulgaria is the ...