Survey shows 14 per cent of Bulgarians eager to emigrate

A Bulgarian government survey has shown that 14 per cent of the country’s population intends to emigrate on a permanent basis.

The National Centre for Public Opinion Research survey took place from 20 to 27 September and indicated that the number of Bulgarian wishing to permanently leave the country had increased by three per cent over 2009’s figures. The young unemployed and university graduates as well as those from the Roma ethnic minority group comprised the majority of those wishing to leave.

In addition, 28 per cent of respondents indicated they would prefer to study or work overseas, although they did not commit to leaving the country on a permanent basis. Again, younger unemployed people and university graduates formed a high proportion of this group.

Of the total respondents, 14 per cent were committed to permanent emigration, either to find employment overseas or to emigrate via an educational programme. Over two-thirds of those polled said they would advise their children to study abroad, a three per cent increase over 2009.

A further 71 per cent stated they would definitely encourage their children to search for jobs abroad and work in other countries for at least a certain period of time. This result was prevalent amongst those aged under 49 years, parents with secondary school qualifications and suburban residents.

The number of respondents who would advise their children to live abroad on a permanent basis increased by six per cent to 36 per cent of respondents, many of whom were unemployed, Roma or Turkish nationals. The conclusion drawn from the survey was that, in general, attitudes to migration had changed little over the last three years.