25 January (BTA) - Most Bulgarians abroad stay connected to the homeland, the Tuk-Tam (Here-There) non-governmental organization found in a survey presented at BTA here on Tuesday.

The survey was conducted among 2,300 Bulgarians, mostly women, in 80 countries, in late November and early December 2021.

Some 16 per cent of respondents said they are strongly engaged with initiatives in Bulgaria. A total of 60 per cent described themselves as active participants in homeland-related events, while 16 per cent said they are rather passive.

Yulia Dimitrova, a Tuk-Tam Board member, stressed that Bulgarians abroad are most interested in learning initiatives. The survey did not focus on the number of Bulgarians living abroad, but on their profiles and expectations, she said.

The study found that Bulgarians in the 18-24 age group are more likely to return and settle in Bulgaria. Those aged 36 and over said they would rather stay abroad. The top three deterrents from returning home are the quality of life, low pay and lack of better education opportunities.

Svetlana Mitrova from Capital Careers, a website providing labour market information, stressed that some 6 per cent of the respondents said they had returned home due to the coronavirus pandemic. They have lived in Bulgaria for the last two years and are planning to stay long term.

Migration issues in the EU and possible solutions will be discussed at a conference on "EU's Role in the World/Migration" at BTA's press club in Haskovo on January 31. This is the seventh event of BTA's Bulgarian Voices for Europe Initiative, supported by the European Parliament. RY/KK