Average annual household income in Bulgaria for 2006 increased by 8.6 per cent to 7140 leva as compared to 2005 figures, the National Statistical Institute (NSI) said.

Household expenditure went up by 12.6 per cent reaching 6460 leva, investor.bg reported.

The inflation for the period from January to December 2006 was 7.3 per cent compared to values for the same period of 2005 .

Annual income per capita for 2006 is estimated to 2851 leva compared to 2579 leva for 2005. The annual expenditure totaled 2580 leva and the figures for a year earlier are estimated to 2250 leva.

Nearly 35 per cent of the household expenditure 2006 was allocated to food, followed by expenditure for accommodation, water, electricity bills and fuel.

Households spent an average 210 leva on entertainment, vacation and education in 2006. The healthcare expenditure is estimated to 273 leva.