The total hourly labour cost in Bulgaria rose by 13.9% in the fourth quarter of 2025, compared to the fourth quarter of 2024, according to preliminary data published by National Statistical Institute (NSI) on March 23.
The increase was 11.8% in industry and 14.8% in services. The highest annual growth in total labour costs was reported in Real estate activities (22.5%), Construction (20.1%), and Administrative and support service activities (by 17.2%).
In the structure of the total labour costs, the wages and salaries costs per hour worked grew by 13.8% in comparison with a year earlier, while the other (non-wage) costs rose by 14.3%.
Among the economic activities in the fourth quarter of 2025, compared to the fourth quarter of 2024, the growth rate of wages and salaries component ranged from 23.5% in Real estate activities sector to 3.6% in Electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply sector.