Sustainability and Growth: Salaries, additional benefits and bonuses - trend research (SATR H1/2025)
Businesses in Bulgaria continue to adapt to the dynamics of the labour market, focusing on salary competitiveness, employee retention and offering attractive social packages. The results of the survey conducted by Assert International Bulgaria and Manpower Bulgaria reveal the key trends on the labour market for the first half of 2025.
Strategic increase in salaries
The results of the survey show that 65.4% of respondents are planning a salary increase in the first half of 2025, mainly in the range of up to 10%. Over 50% of employers intend increases to affect almost all of their employees. The main reasons for the positive change in wages are the need to retain staff and maintain competitive conditions in the labour market.
Additional benefits and bonuses
Around 15.9% of the companies foresee changes in the social packages, and these most often include additional health insurance, more days of paid leave, coverage of transport costs (public transport card; fuel costs). Despite these efforts, budget constraints remain a major obstacle.
Changes and challenges
In 2025, 27.5% of companies plan to expand their teams, while another 44% plan no changes. The focus remains mainly on retaining current employees. This trend has persisted since the fourth quarter of last year and is in direct response to high levels of voluntary and involuntary turnover. The main reasons for leaving in the second half of 2024, were better financial conditions at other companies (30.1%) and lack of development opportunities (12.6%). Involuntary turnover was caused by poor employee performance (36.1%) and violations of company policies (20.3%).
Conclusion
Although business in the country is showing some stability, budgetary constraints and competitive pressures continue to be serious challenges. The survey results show a moderate but sustainable strategy for companies to manage compensation and benefits. The main focus remains on competitiveness, retention of key employees and resource optimisation. Despite economic challenges, employers remain committed to their employees.
You can download the full report here.
