61% of Bulgarians say that over the past year their living standards worsened. A mere 5% state they live better, mostly residents of Sofia, or ones with university education.

These are the findings of a poll held by the National Center for Public Opinion Surveys.

The most obvious worsening in the living standards was seen by Bulgarians aged 50 to 59 (70% of them say they are now worse off), by people of a low education status, by residents of small towns and villages and by the poor.

In 2009 51% of Bulgarians feared they might be unable to buy the usual goods for personal use. Today 55% say they have to save on staples.

One in five Bulgarians claims that he is in difficulties paying back loans, figures suggest.