Most young people see future in Bulgaria

published on 6/18/24 12:26 PM

Photo: Bulgaria Wants You

A clear majority of young Bulgarians - 89% - see their next five years not abroad, but in Bulgaria, according to a new study by consumer analysis agency JTN and the Bulgaria Wants You platform. Many young, highly qualified professionals with experience abroad are also returning home.

Independence from their parents, interest in foreign cultures and the perception that those who study in Western Europe will be successful are what drive many young Bulgarians to leave the country in search of new opportunities, according to a report by Victoria Petrova for BNR-Horizont. She introduces us to successful young Bulgarians who have chosen to return to Bulgaria rather than pursue glamorous careers abroad. Among them is Filip Yordanov, who completed his secondary education in the UK and studied in Italy. He now works as a data analyst for an American company in the Bulgarian market. "A lot of people ask me why I came back," says Filip, adding:

"Most people who ask this question have never lived, studied or spent a long time abroad. They think their problems can be solved by going somewhere else, but there is nothing so different about living in another country compared to living in Bulgaria. I am here because I have managed to build a good environment, I have a good job, and I see that people around me are progressing. I have no doubt that a person who is willing and works hard can do well in Bulgaria," says Filip.

In addition, 45% of young people in Bulgaria, an increase of 5% from 2023, say they prefer to work for Bulgarian employers. Petar Peychev, who studied in the Netherlands, recently returned to Bulgaria. He now works as a financial analyst for a Bulgarian company operating on the Bulgarian capital market.

"We are involved in investment banking, working with Bulgarian companies. This is something I think is quite innovative. To be honest, until a year or a year and a half ago I didn't even know that such opportunities existed in Bulgaria, but now I have found something that is extremely interesting!"

Despite the good opportunities, there are some challenges. Bulgaria's private sector proves much more welcoming to young professionals than the public sector. According to them, public administrations and institutions often do not publish job advertisements openly or their deadlines are too short. Additionally, job postings frequently contain specific requirements that are difficult to meet.

"I would like to see more Bulgarian companies in our market, not so many international ones, because we have a lot to show," says Petar. He also lists some of the obstacles faced by young Bulgarians who decide to pursue a career abroad:

"Finding accommodation and a job is quite difficult these days, as new positions are not opening up but rather old ones are being replaced. Thirdly, as friendly as the Netherlands is - and it really is - it's a different kind of society that we cannot fully understand at this stage. It is very difficult to relate when you have grown up in Bulgaria. Their issues and ideas about life are different. Coming home to Bulgaria and being with the people in this community, struggling with all the problems, can be much more motivating than staying in a country where you remain a foreigner - not only in terms of your passport, but also in terms of your thinking," Petar Peychev sums up.