Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2025 All Rights Reserved

Experts try to counter the 'brain drain' from the Balkans

Photo: podkrepa.org

Higher incomes and improved quality of life are the key factors to counter migration and brain drain, participants in an international conference in Sofia on the integration of the Western Balkan countries have agreed.

The forum was attended by trade unionists and experts from North Macedonia, Serbia, Romania, Albania, France and Austria. "Brain drain is a common problem in the Balkans for two reasons - loss of livelihoods and freedom of movement. A highly skilled workforce working for low pay can only exist in a dictatorship," said Dimitar Manolov, president of the Podkrepa trade union. Experts argue that continued emigration and growing poverty in the region are not only hindering the process of European integration, but also widening the gap in living standards. 



Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

Plamen Dimitrov

Bulgarian union leader warns of BGN 17–18 billion shortfall in draft budget

Plamen Dimitrov, president of Bulgaria’s largest trade union, the Confederation of Independent Trade Unions in Bulgaria (CITUB), has warned of a potential shortfall of around 17–18 billion leva (EUR 8.7–9.2 billion) in next year’s draft budget...

published on 10/17/25 3:16 PM
Hristijan Mickoski

North Macedonia's PM rules out unconditional constitutional recognition of Bulgarians

North Macedonian Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski said his government will not unconditionally recognise Bulgarians in the country’s constitution.  “Nobody has the right to expect this government to make constitutional changes unconditionally,” he told..

published on 10/17/25 2:36 PM

Bulgarian rectors propose Danube University Alliances

‘The Bulgarian Rectors’ Council has proposed the creation of Danube University Alliances,’ said Professor Miglena Temelkova, the Council's chair, at the ‘Days of Bulgaria in Kecskemét, Hungary’ forum. The idea is for the alliances to include..

published on 10/17/25 2:13 PM