The largest share of consumer expenditures in 1971 went for food, ranging from 42.5 percent of total expenditures for peasants to 38.8 percent of total expenditures for white-collar workers (see table 3). In calculating expenditures for food, the value of food production for personal consumption was included. The relative share of expenditures on food has been dropping since 1962. At the same time, the quality of the diet for all population groups has improved.
Table 3. Bulgaria, Percentage Distribution of Household Expenditures by Population Group,
1962 and 1971
| Blue Collar | White Collar | Co-op Farm Member | ||||
| Item | 1962 | 1971 | 1962 | 1971 | 1962 | 1971 |
| Food | 46.0 | 42.3 | 44.6 | 38.8 | 46.3 | 42.5 |
| Alcoholic beverages | 2.9 | 3.4 | 2.1 | 2.1 | 6.3 | 5.1 |
| Tobacco | 2.3 | 1.7 | 1.9 | 1.5 | 1.3 | 1.3 |
| Clothing | 13.6 | 11.4 | 14.7 | 11.3 | 13.6 | 10.3 |
| Housing | 9.9 | 8.7 | 7.9 | 11.4 | 9.6 | 8.8 |
| Household furnishings | 3.5 | 5.3 | 4.0 | 5.3 | 4.0 | 5.0 |
| Culture and | ||||||
| entertainment | 4.3 | 5.3 | 6.0 | 7.8 | 2.8 | 5.4 |
| Health and hygiene | 1.2 | 1.8 | 1.6 | 2.3 | 1.0 | 1.7 |
| Communication and | ||||||
| transportation | 2.7 | 2.8 | 3.3 | 3.4 | 1.5 | 1.7 |
| Taxes and fees | 5.4 | 6.2 | 6.2 | 7.0 | 1.3 | 2.0 |
| Other | 8.2 | 11.1 | 7.7 | 9.1 | 12.3 | 16.2 |
| TOTAL | 100.0 | 100.0 | 100.0 | 100.0 | 100.0 | 100.0 |
| Source: Adapted from Statistical Yearbook, 1972, Sofia, 1972, p. 412. | ||||||
Relative expenditures on clothing were roughly the same for all population groups, although peasants spent a somewhat smaller proportion of their budget than families influenced by urban life-styles. The share of the budget spent on clothing has dropped since 1962.
The relative share of expenditures for housing went down between 1962 and 1971 for the two lower income groups, who spent almost the same proportion of their budget for that purpose. The higher income white-collar group, however, spent over 3 percent more on housing in 1971 than it did in 1962. This group has been investing in its own private housing rather than living in state- or industry-supplied housing. Expenditures for household furnishings and equipment were approximately the same for all segments of the population in 1971. They occupied a greater share of the household budget than in 1962, particularly among blue-collar workers.
In addition to devoting a considerably higher portion of their budget to housing than other social groups, white-collar workers also devote more of their budget to culture and entertainment and to health and hygiene. This is clearly a reflection of more sophisticated tastes and a higher standard of living. The life-style of this group includes regular attendance at the theater, operas, and concerts; the purchase of books and records; and a higher education for their children. This, also, is the group that prefers to consult a private physician, who sets his own rates, rather than to use the free public clinic.
Relative expenditures for communication and transportation services have remained stable over the years. They vary by population group, consuming a greater portion of the budget as one rises on the social ladder. The proportionately higher expenditures of blue- and white-collar workers are probably due to the expense of commuting to and from a job. The even higher share of such expenditures in the budgets of white-collar workers is attributable to private telephones and travel.
The greatest variation in consumption patterns between the different population groups is evident in the proportion of expenditures devoted to other than the enumerated categories. Although there is no indication in the statistical material as to what kind of expenditures are included, this entry must certainly include expenses incurred in the cultivation of private plots and the raising of animals in the private sector for domestic consumption and expenses incurred in providing private services. Therefore, these expenditures take a high share of the total expenditures of peasants and workers.
Despite expanding consumption, neither the government nor the population is satisfied with the supply and quality of the goods and services available. Some items, such as meat, housewares, furniture, building materials, and various kinds of clothing and knitwear, are in chronic short supply. Other items, such as fruits, vegetables, and dairy products, are subject to periodic shortages. In addition, the quality and selection of many goods do not meet the desired levels. An official document published in 1972 decried the common practice of producing high-quality goods for export and lower quality goods for the domestic market. The same document also called for changing export priorities so that the domestic needs could be met before scarce goods were exported.
Another factor limiting the satisfaction of demands for goods and services has been the small size and inefficiency of the domestic trade network and of the service industry. Retail outlets are state owned and have received very low priority in the allocation of funds. As a result, they are too few in number and are seriously understaffed, making shopping a time-consuming and frustrating activity. Stores are reluctant to stock new styles in response to consumer demands until their old stocks have been almost completely depleted. High-quality and specialty items are usually available only from private craftsmen at very high prices.