World Happiness Report for Bulgaria 2024
- Overall Happiness Rank Bulgaria: 81
- Happiness Score Bulgaria:5.463
Happiness is a subjective concept that has long been debated by philosophers, psychologists, and economists alike. However, in recent years, there has been a growing interest in quantifying happiness and using it as a measure of a nation’s overall well-being. This is where the concept of the Happiness Index comes into play.
What is the Happiness Index?
The Happiness Index is a measure that attempts to quantify the overall happiness and life satisfaction of a country’s population. It is based on the idea that traditional economic indicators, such as Gross Domestic Product (GDP), do not fully capture the overall well-being of a society. The Happiness Index takes into account various factors that contribute to an individual’s sense of happiness and life satisfaction, including social support, freedom to make life choices, healthy life expectancy, and perceptions of corruption.
How is the Happiness Index Calculated?
The Happiness Index is calculated through a combination of subjective and objective data. The primary source of data is the Gallup World Poll, which is a survey conducted in over 160 countries. The survey asks respondents to rate their overall life satisfaction on a scale of 0 to 10, with 0 being the worst possible life and 10 being the best possible life.
In addition to the life satisfaction score, the Happiness Index also takes into account the following factors:
- GDP per capita: This is a measure of a country’s economic output and standard of living.
- Social support: This factor measures the extent to which individuals have supportive relationships and love in their lives.
- Healthy life expectancy: This is a measure of the number of years an individual is expected to live in good health.
- Freedom to make life choices: This factor measures the extent to which individuals are able to make decisions about their lives without external constraints.
- Generosity: This factor measures the extent to which individuals engage in charitable activities and donate to others.
- Perceptions of corruption: This factor measures the extent to which individuals perceive their society to be free from corruption.
These factors are weighted and combined to produce an overall Happiness Index score for each country.
What Does the Happiness Index Affect?
The Happiness Index has significant implications for policymaking and societal well-being. Countries with higher Happiness Index scores are generally considered to have better overall quality of life and well-being for their citizens. This can have positive impacts on various aspects of society, including:
- Economic productivity: Happier individuals tend to be more productive and engaged in their work, which can contribute to a country’s economic growth.
- Public health: Higher levels of happiness and life satisfaction are associated with better physical and mental health outcomes, which can reduce healthcare costs and improve overall well-being.
- Social cohesion: Societies with higher levels of happiness tend to have stronger social bonds and lower levels of conflict and crime.
- Environmental sustainability: Happier individuals may be more likely to engage in environmentally-friendly behaviors and support policies that promote sustainability.
By focusing on the factors that contribute to happiness and well-being, policymakers can develop strategies to improve the overall quality of life for their citizens. The Happiness Index provides a valuable tool for measuring progress and identifying areas where improvements can be made.
Short information
- Abbreviation of Bulgaria. BG.
Bulgaria is a country located in Southeastern Europe. Its political structure is a parliamentary democracy, with a president as the head of state and a prime minister as the head of government. Notable cultural aspects include its rich history, diverse traditional music and dance, and unique Bulgarian cuisine. Economically, Bulgaria has a developing market economy with a focus on industry, agriculture, and tourism.
- Bulgaria is home to seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including the ancient city of Nessebar and the Rila Monastery.
- The country is known for its production of rose oil, and it is one of the world’s largest exporters of this fragrant essential oil.
- Bulgaria has a rich tradition of folk music and dance, with distinctive rhythms and colorful costumes that are celebrated at festivals throughout the country.
Bulgaria – Country Overview
Early History
The territory of modern-day Bulgaria has been inhabited since ancient times by various Thracian tribes. In the 6th century BC, the region came under the influence of the Persian Empire, followed by Greek and Macedonian rule. The Odrysian kingdom, a union of Thracian tribes, emerged as a powerful force in the region during the 5th century BC.
Kingdoms and Empires
In the late 6th century AD, the First Bulgarian Empire was founded by the Bulgars, a semi-nomadic people of Turkic origin. This empire reached its golden age under Tsar Simeon I (893-927), when it became a major cultural and literary center in Europe. The Second Bulgarian Empire (1185-1396) witnessed a period of political, economic, and cultural renaissance before falling to the Ottoman Empire.
Colonial Period
Bulgaria remained under Ottoman rule for nearly five centuries, from the late 14th century until its independence in 1878. This period was marked by frequent uprisings and struggles for national liberation.
Independence and Modern Era
After the Russo-Turkish War of 1877-1878, the Treaty of San Stefano granted independence to Bulgaria. However, the Treaty of Berlin in 1878 reduced the newly formed state’s territory, leading to further conflicts. Bulgaria regained territories after the Balkan Wars (1912-1913) and World War I but lost lands after World War II. The country became a communist state within the Soviet sphere of influence until the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, when it transitioned to a parliamentary democracy.
Current Political Situation
Bulgaria is a unitary parliamentary republic with a directly elected president as head of state and a prime minister as head of government. The current President is Rumen Radev, and the Prime Minister is Nikolay Denkov. Recent political turmoil and frequent elections have highlighted ongoing challenges in the country’s democratic development.
International Relations
Bulgaria is a member of the European Union, NATO, and various other international organizations. It maintains close ties with its Balkan neighbors and has generally friendly relations with major global powers. However, tensions persist with North Macedonia over historical and cultural disputes.
Human Development and Economy
Bulgaria has a transitional economy, with services, industry, and agriculture as the main sectors. Its human development index ranks moderately high, though challenges remain in areas like income inequality and corruption. Key industries include energy, mining, manufacturing, and tourism.
Cultural Highlights
Bulgaria has a rich cultural heritage influenced by its Thracian, Slavic, and Bulgar roots. The Eastern Orthodox Church plays a significant role in Bulgarian culture. The country is known for its folk traditions, including music, dance, and crafts. Notable cultural contributions include the Cyrillic alphabet and the Rila Monastery.
Challenges and Opportunities: Bulgaria faces challenges such as brain drain, corruption, and environmental issues. Opportunities lie in further economic development, EU integration, and promoting its rich cultural heritage and tourism potential.
Travel Tips for Bulgaria
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Living in Bulgaria
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Doing Business in Bulgaria
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Main facts
1. Location
Bulgaria is located in Southeastern Europe, bordering the Black Sea between Romania and Turkey. It shares borders with Romania to the north, Serbia and North Macedonia to the west, Greece and Turkey to the south, and the Black Sea to the east.
2. Map References
Bulgaria is situated in the Balkan Peninsula region of Southeastern Europe.
3. Area – Comparative
With a total area of 110,994 sq km, Bulgaria is slightly larger than the U.S. state of Virginia.
4. Land Boundaries and Border Countries
Bulgaria has a total land boundary length of 1,808 km, with the following bordering countries:
– Romania (605 km)
– Serbia (344 km)
– North Macedonia (162 km)
– Greece (492 km)
– Turkey (223 km)
5. Coastline (if applicable)
Bulgaria has a coastline of 354 km along the Black Sea.
6. Maritime Claims
Bulgaria has the following maritime claims:
– Territorial sea: 12 nautical miles
– Contiguous zone: 24 nautical miles
– Exclusive economic zone: 200 nautical miles
7. Climate
Bulgaria has a temperate continental climate with hot summers and cold, snowy winters. The climate is influenced by the Black Sea and the mountain ranges, resulting in regional variations.
8. Terrain
The terrain of Bulgaria is diverse, consisting of large plains in the north and east, hills and low mountains in the central regions, and high mountains in the southwest. The Balkan Mountains and Rila-Rhodope Massif are the country’s major mountain ranges.
9. Elevation Extremes
The highest point in Bulgaria is Musala Peak, at 2,925 meters, located in the Rila Mountains. The lowest point is the Black Sea, at 0 meters.
10. Natural Resources
Bulgaria’s major natural resources include bauxite, copper, lead, zinc, coal, timber, and arable land.
11. Major Bodies of Water
The Danube River forms a major portion of Bulgaria’s northern border with Romania. Other significant bodies of water include the Black Sea, the Maritsa River (shared with Turkey and Greece), and the Iskar, Struma, and Mesta Rivers.
12. Natural Hazards
The primary natural hazards in Bulgaria include earthquakes, landslides, and wildfires.
13. Geography – Notes
Strategic Location:
Bulgaria’s strategic location near the Turkish Straits and the Black Sea has made it a key transit corridor for energy resources and an important regional player.
Environmental Challenges:
Air pollution from industrial emissions and vehicle emissions, particularly in urban areas, is a significant environmental issue in Bulgaria. The country also faces challenges related to deforestation and soil erosion.
- Forest Area (% of land area): 35.40%. This is the percentage of a country’s total land area that is covered by natural or planted forests.
- Co2 Emissions: 41,708. CO2 emissions refer to the release of carbon dioxide gas into the atmosphere, primarily from the burning of fossil fuels (coal, oil, and natural gas) for energy production, transportation, and industrial processes.
- Agricultural Land( %). 46.30%. Agricultural land refers to the share of land area that is arable and used for cultivating crops or raising livestock.
- Geographic Coordinates: 42.73388325.48583.
- Capital: The capital of Bulgaria is Sofia
- Major Cities:
- Sofia – 1,260,120
- Plovdiv – 346,245
- Varna – 334,870
- Burgas – 202,445
- Ruse – 146,609
- Population: 6,975,761
- Area(Km2): 110879
- Population Density( P/Km²):64. This is the number of people living per square kilometer of land area in a given region or country.
- Calling Code:359
- Official Language(s):Bulgarian is spoken in Bulgaria, with a percentage of 84.5%.
- Currency: BGN
Main Economic Indicators
Bulgaria has an open, upper-middle-income market economy. The private sector accounts for more than 70% of Bulgaria’s GDP. Services, manufacturing, and energy contribute significantly to the economy. Bulgaria faces challenges related to corruption, inadequate infrastructure, and a shrinking labor force due to emigration. Key economic policies aim to attract foreign investment, improve competitiveness, and support EU integration.
Inflation Rate (Consumer Prices)
2021: 7.8% (Source: National Statistical Institute)
2022: 14.3% (Source: National Statistical Institute)
Credit Ratings
Fitch: BBB (Stable)
Moody’s: Baa1 (Stable)
Standard & Poor’s: BBB (Stable)
GDP – Composition by Sector of Origin
Agriculture: 3.5%
Industry: 26.5%
Services: 70%
Key Agricultural and Industrial Products
Agricultural Products: Wheat, maize, sunflower seeds, vegetables, fruits, tobacco, wine
Industrial Products: Machinery and equipment, transport equipment, textiles, chemicals, steel, biotechnology, software
Labor Force
Total Labor Force: 3.2 million (2021 est.)
Ranking: 103rd in the world
Current Account Balance
2021: -$0.13 billion (0.2% of GDP)
2022: -$1.83 billion (-2.6% of GDP)
Ranking: 129th in the world
Exports and Imports
Exports: $44.4 billion (2022 est.)
Key Export Partners: Germany, Romania, Italy, Turkey, Greece
Main Exports: Machinery and equipment, mineral fuels and oils, copper, pharmaceuticals, clothing
Imports: $57.4 billion (2022 est.)
Key Import Partners: Germany, Russia, Romania, Italy, Turkey
Main Imports: Machinery and equipment, mineral fuels and oils, chemicals, metals, plastics
Reserves of Foreign Exchange and Gold
Foreign Exchange Reserves: $37.9 billion (December 2022)
Gold Reserves: 40.2 tonnes (December 2022)
- GDP (Current US$):$86,000,000,000. It represents a country’s gross domestic product measured in current US dollars. Higher values indicate a larger economy and economic output.
- Tax Revenue (% of GDP): 20.20%. It refers to the amount of tax revenue collected by the government, expressed as a percentage of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP). Higher values indicate a higher tax burden relative to the size of the economy.
- Total Tax Rate (% of commercial profits): 28.30%. This is the sum of all taxes payable by businesses, expressed as a percentage of their commercial profits. Higher values indicate a higher tax burden on businesses.
- Gasoline Price. $1.11. It refers to the cost of one liter or gallon of gasoline/petrol. Higher values indicate more expensive gasoline prices for consumers and businesses.
- Minimum wage. $1.57. It refers to the lowest legally mandated hourly wage that employers must pay their workers. Higher values indicate a higher minimum level of pay for low-wage workers.
- Unemployment Rate (%): 4.34%. It represents the percentage of the labor force that is unemployed and actively seeking employment. Higher values indicate more joblessness in the economy.
Social Indicators
1. National Identity
Nationality (noun): Bulgarian(s)
Nationality (adjective): Bulgarian
2. Ethnic Groups
- Bulgarian: 76.9%
- Turkish: 8%
- Romani: 4.4%
- Others: 0.7%
- Unspecified: 10%
3. Religions
- Eastern Orthodox: 59.4%
- Muslim: 7.8%
- Other (including atheist): 27.4%
- Unspecified: 5.4%
4. Age Structure
- 0-14 years: 13.85%
- 15-64 years: 66.51%
- 65 years and over: 19.64%
5. Dependency Ratios
Total dependency ratio: 50.2%
Youth dependency ratio: 20.8%
Elderly dependency ratio: 29.4%
6. Median Age
Total: 43.9 years
Male: 41.9 years
Female: 46 years
7. Lifestyle Indicators
Obesity rate: 25.6% (2016)
Alcohol consumption: 12.4 liters per capita (2019)
Tobacco use: 27.5% of adults (2019)
- Life Expectancy at Birth: 74.9. Life Expectancy at Birth refers to the estimated average number of years a newborn is expected to live based on current mortality rates. Higher values indicate better health outcomes and living conditions in a country or region.
- Literacy Rate (% of adults): 98.4%. It refers to the percentage of the population aged 15 and above who can read and write with understanding of a short simple statement about their everyday life. Higher literacy rates indicate better educational attainment within a population.
- Birth Rate:8.9. Birth Rate is the total number of live births per 1,000 population in a given year. Higher birth rates indicate a larger share of the population being born each year.
- Death Rate:22. Death Rate is the number of deaths per 1,000 population in a given year. Higher death rates indicate more people dying annually within a population.
- Fertility Rate: 1.56. Fertility Rate is the average number of children a woman would have over her reproductive years based on current birth rates. Higher fertility rates indicate larger family sizes and population growth.
- Internet Users (% of population): 66.2%. Internet Users (% of population) refers to the percentage of the total population in a country or region that has access to and uses the internet. Higher values indicate greater internet penetration and connectivity among the population.
- Urban Population: 5,256,027. Urban Population refers to the percentage or number of people living in urban areas or cities within a country or region. Higher urban population values indicate greater urbanization and concentration of people in cities compared to rural areas.
- Out of Pocket Health Expenditure (% of total health expenditure):47.70%. Out of Pocket Health Expenditure (% of total health expenditure) represents the portion of total health care costs that individuals pay directly out of their own pockets, rather than being covered by insurance or government programs. Higher values indicate greater personal financial burden for health care expenses.
Infrastructure and Services
Military and Security Forces
Bulgaria’s military consists of the following branches: Bulgarian Land Forces, Bulgarian Navy, Bulgarian Air Force, and Joint Special Operations Command. The National Security Service is the country’s intelligence agency, while the Ministry of Interior oversees the National Police Service and other security forces responsible for internal security.
Military Expenditures
Military spending as a percentage of GDP for the last five years:
- 2022: 2.1%
- 2021: 1.6%
- 2020: 1.6%
- 2019: 1.6%
- 2018: 1.5%
Bulgaria’s military spending ranks 60th globally.
Personnel Strengths
Total active-duty military personnel: 27,000
- Land Forces: 16,500
- Air Force: 6,500
- Navy: 3,500
Other security services include the National Guard (4,000) and Border Police (9,000).
Military Equipment Inventories and Acquisitions
Key military hardware includes:
- Tanks: T-72 and PT-91 main battle tanks
- Armored Vehicles: BMP-1 and BMP-2 infantry fighting vehicles, BRDM-2 scout cars
- Artillery: 2S1 Gvozdika self-propelled howitzers, M-46 field guns
- Aircraft: MiG-29 and Su-25 fighter jets, Mi-17 and Mi-24 helicopters
- Naval Assets: Frigates, patrol craft, and auxiliary vessels
Bulgaria is currently pursuing the acquisition of new multi-role fighter jets and armored vehicles through NATO partnerships.
Military Service Age and Obligation
Military service is voluntary for males and females between the ages of 18 and 27. There is no mandatory military conscription.
Military Deployments
Bulgaria has deployed military personnel to the following international missions:
- NATO missions in Kosovo (350 troops) and Afghanistan (160 troops)
- United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (330 troops)
Strategic Military Notes
Bulgaria’s defense strategy focuses on territorial defense, contributing to NATO collective defense efforts, and participating in international peacekeeping operations. As a member of NATO since 2004, Bulgaria is committed to enhancing interoperability with alliance partners and modernizing its military capabilities. The country maintains close defense ties with the United States and other NATO allies, emphasizing regional security in the Black Sea region and the Balkans.
- Armed Forces Size: 37000. Armed Forces Size refers to the total number of active personnel serving in a country’s military forces, including the army, navy, air force, and other branches. Higher values indicate a larger military presence and personnel.
- Physicians per Thousand: Number of doctors per 1,000 people is 04.03
- Population: Labor Force Participation (%): 55.40%. This is the percentage of the total population aged 15 and older that is economically active, meaning they are either employed or actively seeking employment. Higher values indicate a greater proportion of the working-age population engaged in the labor force.