The higher education system in Bulgaria is fragmented, with an increasing number of educational programs introduced in the past two decades, aimed at attracting students. Sometimes, these programs are introduced without sufficient administrative capacity. The mapping of the sector, proposed in the new Strategy for the Development of Higher Education 2030, can help identify gaps, overlaps, and potential for further development.
The number of students enrolled in higher education in the country has significantly decreased in recent years, which could have a negative impact on the economy’s competitiveness. Between 2012 and 2017, the number of students enrolled in higher education decreased by 12.3%, from 284,995 to 249,937. However, the net percentage of enrolled students increased from 61.4% in 2012 to 71% in 2017, mainly reflecting the trend of increased emigration.
According to data from 2019, it can be concluded that the unemployment rate among higher education graduates has decreased significantly to an impressive 2.23%. However, this does not necessarily mean that all graduates work in their field of expertise or in positions that require higher education.
Higher education graduates generally have better employment rates and income levels than those with lower education levels. In 2019, 88.4% of higher education graduates were employed in Bulgaria, and 85.3% in the EU. Nevertheless, forecasts and government development priorities indicate the need for more graduates in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Instead, the number of graduates in business and legal studies remains high, while the number of graduates in information and communication technology (ICT) and STEM fields is still low.
The Bulgarian government is introducing a list of “priority professional directions” to encourage enrollment in areas where there is a predicted demand in the labor market, with a particular focus on STEM fields.