Abstract
This article examines the issues related to Bulgarian migration after the country acceded to the EU in 2007 and focuses its research on the phenomenon of “brain drain” – the process of mass emigration during which specialists, scientists and skilled workers leave. Today, this phenomenon is quite typical for Bulgaria as part of the former socialist countries of Eastern Europe. The problems associated with the “brain drain” are very relevant as the country suffers significant economic and cultural losses while the host countries acquire large and inexpensive intellectual capital.
 During the years of transition, Bulgaria strives to be a full member of the EU and provide opportunities for development and realization of specialists, scientists, and researchers. This requires the adoption of measures and initiatives to establish sustainable development in the capital and in the country and meet the need for highly skilled labor in the industrial sphere.
 The article aims to explore the possibilities for the return of Bulgarian migrants in response to the growing need for specialized staff in Sofia. The quantitative study involved more than 500 Bulgarian migrants residing in different host countries, selected randomly and responded voluntarily.
 The article defends the thesis that if Bulgaria provides opportunities to develop specialized staff through the undertaking of specific initiatives, this can be an attraction and a motive for the return of Bulgarian migrants.
 The study methodology utilizes the quantitative studies model (and, more specifically, the questionnaire method). To obtain more reliable results, their interpretation also includes additional statistical tools. The question whether a correlation exists between the age and the degree of settlement of Bulgarians abroad is of special interest and has been investigated using the Cramér V.
 The results show that in recent years the need for specialized staff is constantly growing. In response to this need, the initiatives that are undertaken are aimed at innovations in science and education. The study also takes into account the readiness of Bulgarian migrants to return home.
Highlights
In recent decades, migration has been a phenomenon (Castles, 2010: 1567) that contributes to global political, economic, and social changes (Castles & Miller, 2013: 7)
Authors explore the issues related to Bulgarian migration after the country's accession to the EU in 2007 and focus their research on this emigration process, in which specialists, scientists, and skilled workers leave
In the years of transition to a market economy and the years after the country acceded to the EU, in Bulgaria, the "brain drain", often called "flight of human capital" (Breinbauer, 2007: 3), happened at levels interrelated with emigration
Summary
Migration has been a phenomenon (Castles, 2010: 1567) that contributes to global political, economic, and social changes (Castles & Miller, 2013: 7). In the context of Bulgaria, common reasons associated with emigration that accelerate brain drain on a geographical level are sought in political instability, poor quality of life, limited access to healthcare, insufficient economic opportunities, lack of fulfillment and development These factors cause skilled and talented workers to leave the country and head to places offering better opportunities. After its accession as a full member, the country aims to both rhythmically utilize EU funds under operating programs and to accelerate the implementation of these programs to achieve more investments, and to ensure opportunities for development and fulfillment for specialists, scientists, researchers, and the development of sectors most affected by the transition – the country's industry, manufacturing, production sectors This requires measures and initiatives to be undertaken to establish sustainable development in the capital and throughout the country and meet the need for highly skilled staff in the industrial sector. The study takes into account the readiness of Bulgarian migrants to return to their country of origin
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