Bulgarians who want to emigrate long term halve since 2001

The number of Bulgarians who want to emigrate long term has halved since 2001; most Bulgarians want to spend a short time abroad, according to a Gallup International representative survey commissioned by the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy.

The survey studying the attitude to emigration was conducted among Bulgarians aged between 15 and 60 in August. Fewer than 4,000 Bulgarians want to leave in 2007 and seek jobs in the EU countries.

In the next five years, between 15,100 and 16,200 people would want to start work abroad. Between 14,000 and 15,300 people would seek jobs in the EU countries.

Most Bulgarians would like to work in Spain, followed by Germany, the United States, Greece, Brazil, Canada and France. Britain and Ireland are the next countries of choice.

The survey identified a normal migration conduct in Bulgaria, comparable to that of the average EU citizen, Labour and Social Policy Minister Emilia Maslarova said. She attributed this in part to the 8.7 per cent unemployment rate and the improving situation in the local labour market.

BTA