Issue 2, 2018

The article deals with the segmentation of returning migrants in Bulgaria. It conceptualizes the complexity of remigration and its trajectories, causes, forms and consequences. Emphasis is placed on the variability, heterogeneity and fluidity of migration processes. Return is analyzed in the overall context of mobility as its moment or final stage. Priority is given to the subjective meaning and individual interpretations of migrants about the causes and results of their mobility. Structural factors are analyzed through the prism of their individual perception transforming them into prerequisites and motives of migratory behavior. Comparisons were made between the motives for departure and return as components of the overall migration movement. Diverse economic and non-economic motives for return are identified. Migration spatial and temporal trajectories of returning migrants, as well as their professional and educational segmentation, have been traced.
JEL: A14; F22; J61

This article analyses the geographic mobility of Bulgarian immigrants during the serious economic and labour crisis, by which has been gripped Spain for over a decade now. The information used was collected from different sources: the statistics, compiled by the National Statistical Institute and the Ministry of Employment of Spain and the testimony of the immigrants. The results indicate an increase of external emigration. The majority of those leaving Spain are heading for Bulgaria, others emigrate to other European countries and still others circulate between the country of origin and the destination relatively frequently. Nevertheless, despite the severity of the crisis, the majority remain in Spain for various reasons. Some opted for internal geographic mobility and were moving to other Spanish provinces in search of temporary employment.
JEL: F22; J61; O15

This article reviews issues related to re-migration/return of Bulgarian migrants and its sustainability. Information is provided about the scale of re-migration to Bulgaria. An assessment is made of the possibilities of the local labour market to provide incentives for returning from abroad. Based on an empirical sociological survey conducted in 2017 (as part of the project “Return Migrants: Segmentation and Stratification of Economic Mobility” financed by the National Research Fund) categories of return migrants are differentiated based on their plans for the future – whether to stay or to leave Bulgaria again. The profile of the individual categories of return migrants is presented summarizing their socio-demographic characteristics and prior migration experience. Applying a binary logistic regression the social and demographic factors as well as the factors based on migration experience, that induce the attitudes toward staying or moving again, are identified.
JEL: F22; O15

This article deals with migration policies, intended to encourage and support the return of Bulgarian migrants. A review is made of international regulations in regard to external migration, which have an impact on the migration policy of Bulgaria. The findings of an analytical overview of Bulgaria’s migration policy are presented, with the emphasis being placed on the return of Bulgarian migrants to the country. Good practices in this area are highlighted and the results of a representative opinion poll are presented of the attitudes of returning migrants towards the policy of the Bulgarian state for encouraging and supporting their return.
JEL: F22; F66; K37

The article addresses one of the most intriguing questions in current migration researches: what drives return migration? It seeks at a micro level to find out what motivates the return in terms of the individual perceptions and reflexions of migrants returning to Bulgaria. The initial hypothesis is that non-economic factors have been the leading ones that have prompted the Bulgarian citizens to return to their homeland over the last decade. The underlying assumption is that the return to Bulgaria is not a failure of individual migration, but should be regarded in terms of the concept of emotional reflexivity and can be examined within the theoretical paradigm of transnationalism. The hypothesis is tested against qualitative and quantitative data from a 2017 national survey and 100 in-depth interviews with Bulgarian returnees. The text is organized in several parts. Following the introduction, in the second part methodological aspects of the two surveys are presented. Next part presents different theoretical paradigms of return migration and distinguishes between economic and non-economic factors of return, and between rationality and emotionality of the motivation. The concept of emotional reflexivity is introduced as an explanatory frame for non-economic emotional motivation for return. In the third part is the analysis of the qualitative sociological data on the returnees’ motivation, illustrated by quotations from the in-depth interviews. A comparison is made between qualitative and quantitative data on the motivation and reasons for return. The analysis confirms the initial hypothesis. We conclude that the „return“ of Bulgarian migrants to Bulgaria cannot be comprehended without taking into account the factors related to life cycle and the relationship with home and family, as well as motives related to migrants’ emotional reflexivity. The prevailing non-economic emotional and reflective motives for return to Bulgaria carry important implications and opportunities with regard to the development of effective policies and initiatives to encourage and support return.
JEL: A14; F22; J61

The article presents the results of the analysis of data from a representative opinion survey, related to the effects of external migration on the labour market in Bulgaria in two main aspects – the effects of departure and of returning of Bulgarian migrants. When examining the impact of the outbound flow of migrants the focus is on the age and education structure of the migrants, their employment status, professions and ways of finding employment abroad (placement). The study of the effects of the return of the migrants was conducted based on their work status, employment by economic activities and qualifications, and a comparison was made with the status prior to their departure and after their return to the country. The main barriers to the integration of the migrants into the Bulgarian labour market were identified.
JEL: F22; F66; J21; J24; J61

This study examined the relationship between population growth, energy consumption and economic growth in Nigeria using the autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) model for the period 1981 to 2015. In the study, the key role of population growth in the energy-growth link is emphasised. The result of the analysis revealed that Nigeria's population has witnessed a significant increase from 1981 up to the present period and that population growth and energy use have a positive effect on the real gross domestic product. The result showed clearly that population growth, energy consumption and oil price have positive and stable impacts on the real gross domestic product in Nigeria over the forecast period. The study, therefore, called for a reduction in electricity tariffs, improvement in government transfer spending and effective management of domestic price level to enhance the economic growth.
JEL: J10; J11; F43; O13; P48

The evolution of pension models is a continuous and long process since social issues acquire new dimensions and the social security systems should respond in a timely and adequate manner to these challenges. Changes in the pension model are an expression of the efforts to improve it but this needs to be a well-thought-out and consistent process since it is likely to give rise to mistrust on the part of insured persons. The results of any reform of the pension model are postponed in time making difficult the current assessment of the effectiveness of the changes that have been made.
The present study examines some of the more significant changes in the Social Security Code with emphasis on those concerning the possibility of transferring funds from a universal and professional pension fund to the State Social Security System. The implications of this transfer for the Bulgarian social security model have been analysed and an attempt has been made to seek for more optimal alternatives for changes in the pension system contributing to the attainment of adequate retirement incomes, which is one of the fundamental principles enshrined in the European Pillar of Social Rights.
JEL: H55; H75; J32

Conceptual basis of state policy of the development and usage of intellectual potential, corresponding to the principles of legality, systematization, rational expediency hierarchy, subsidiarity, coordination, efficiency, effectiveness, synergy, emergency is offered in the context of the National Security Strategy of Ukraine and activation of innovative processes based on rational use of available intellectual potential. Methodical approach to phased decision-making process to determine strategic and tactical objectives, selecting methods, means and forms of counteracting threats, developing a set of measures, recruitment of staff able to understand and fulfil tasks is presented in accordance with the certain content and sequence of stages of state policy of the development and use of intellectual potential. Dynamic structural and functional complex of legal, informational, analytical, organization of management, social measures which are aim-oriented to eliminate potential and real threats to the intellectual development of Ukraine is suggested in order to implement this policy.
JEL: J28; O15; O38