The average wage in Bulgaria should increase by between 12% and 15% in 2019. This expectation was made by the leaders of Confederation of Independent Trade Unions of Bulgaria at a meeting with some of the country’s largest employers.

Employer organisations however, were not united on the projected increase in wages next year - with two expected double-digit growth in average wages, while the Industrial Capital Association expected a more realistic increase of 8.5%, including a rise in “under the counter” bonus payments.

But the widespread belief of the business community in Bulgaria, according to local reports, is that there is a need for double-digit income growth to continue this year and next in an effort to reverse the “brain drain” suffered in recent years as young, well-educated Bulgarians have moved across Europe for higher salaries.