Inequalities in Bulgaria: It Matters Where You Live


Author: Emilia Triola



          There are many inequalities present in rural Bulgaria among various demographics. Although there are various social projects that aim to alleviate these issues with differing objectives the problems are still ever present (Abadjieva 2008). Elderly people that are over 75 years old in rural areas account for poverty rates of 16% which is over the national average (Abadjieva 2008). This contributes heavily to the state of the nation because Bulgaria has and aging population with about 23% being considered elderly which is among the highest in the EU (Abadjieva 2008). Illiteracy is twice as high in rural areas as it is in urban areas with the illiteracy rate being at 1.7% in rural areas for people between the ages of 24 and 64 (Abadjieva 2008). Almost half of the population have no secondary education as compared to 20% of the population in urban areas (Abadjieva 2008). Besides education and income these trends of rural and urban inequality seem to also be present along ethnic lines. Although Turks in Bulgaria have a political and social voice, economically Turks are four times more likely to be unemployed (Abadjieva 2008). The Roma ethnicity, often seen as outcasts with no culture are ten times more likely to be unemployed. Long term unemployment is rife in rural areas with 50% of the unemployed being jobless for more than a year and 44% more than two years (Abadjieva 2008)
An urban school located in Sofia

            All these inequality factors can in one way or another be linked to the malpractices within the political arena under communist leadership as well as the transitioning from communism into a democracy. Post-communism, the nation was still run by communist elites who evolved into the oligarch leadership. The BBC reports that a government appointed commission in 2010 found that 45 senior diplomats were secret service agents during the communist era (2018). Since 1989 the country has experienced many political protests and uprisings creating unstable governance. The crime element and corruption that has led to contract killings and criminal enterprises that have grown into legitimate businesses still plague modern Bulgaria.  The political games being played stunted the smooth evolution and embracing of Bulgaria’s modern economy.
A gentleman promoting equality in Sofia

The economic crisis created through this unstable governance led to the country being caught between having social policies focused on the underprivileged or policies being more universal (Mihaylova 2016). The measures taken in 1996 to help with the pressures of an economic crisis were unemployment benefits and social aid which never really stimulated economic growth (Mihaylova 2016). Bulgaria later joining the EU, now found itself in a position where they needed to reform certain outdated Soviet industrial practices to meet the guidelines of the EU. This resulted in the closing of many factories and farming co-operatives attributing to the rural unemployment rate. The situation created was that many young people that were jobless left the rural areas to seek employment in the urban areas. Thus contributing to the aging rural population and the unequal employment in rural areas when compared to urban areas in Bulgaria.
Despite the challenges faced by the rural population the future in 2007 did not look too bleak. The high potential in agricultural productivity prompted the development of programs by the EU to fund farmers in Bulgaria. The challenges faced were a lack of infrastructure as Bulgaria moved into a market economy (Mihaylova 2016). These plans were however curved according to the BBC as EU funding of Bulgaria was permanently cut into half because the government’s inability to stop corruption and organised crime within the nation that was a remnant of the passed communist regime (2018).
The rural population was worst hit by this cutting of funding as it represents the poorest in the country. This has led to a declining rural population due to lower birth-rates, lower educational status created by educated individuals leaving rural areas and deteriorating infrastructure as a result of lack of financing. Migration flows from villages to cities are at 25% while the city to village flow is at 20% with is significantly smaller (Abadjieva 2008). In a country with a potential for a profitable agricultural economy, this is a huge problem as the young population that can work to build this economy is leaving the countryside to seek employment in the city. The farmers left are of the older generation. The standard of living is not only shrinking in rural areas but in urban areas as well. The influx of people into the cities is negatively impacting the city economy while high unemployment, low agricultural productivity, low income, inadequate investment and lack of access to markets increase the rural inequality level.
The unsavoury government practices created by the culture left over from the communist regime is creating the rural inequality Bulgaria is faced with. EU funding is limited due to government corruption and the development of a functional market economy which can increase the standard of living within the country is therefore being halted.
           
One of the largest Christian church's, located in the Sofia skyline



References
Lilia Abadjieva. (2008). Poverty and Social Exclusion in Rural Areas. European Commission.
Svilena Mihaylova., Silviya Bratoeva-Manoleva (2016). The Transfers and Income Inequality in Bulgaria. Center for Economic Theories and Policies.
Bulgaria Profile – Timeline (2018). BBC. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-17205431



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