Electricity consumption by households has climbed over the past two years, according to data presented by the deputy head of the National Statistical Institute, Svilen Kolev. Speaking before the National Assembly, he linked this trend to regulated price decisions and broader movements in the cost of living. Kolev explained that adjustments in electricity prices followed rulings by the Energy and Water Regulatory Commission (KEVR) and were subsequently reflected in consumer inflation figures, alongside increases in certain goods and services and sporadically high utility bills reported by some households.
Preliminary inflation figures released at the start of February indicate a moderation in price growth. The overall cost of basic goods and services rose by 3.6 % year-on-year, while month-on-month inflation stood at 0.7 %, based on early estimates for January compared to December.
Looking at the longer term, Kolev pointed out that cumulative inflation reached about 12 % over the past three years and slightly above 40 % over five years, levels he described as significant. He also addressed earlier concerns that Bulgaria’s eventual transition from the lev to the euro could trigger noticeable price distortions. Initial assessments suggested such an effect was possible, but early evidence shows the impact to be limited to roughly 0.1–0.2 % in the first month, far below initial expectations.
