Economic and social impact of urban and rural migration in Bulgaria: A case-study of two Bulgarian villages
1994
Markova, E.
At the beginning of the 1990s Bulgaria experienced dramatic political and economic changes. The country had to make the transition from a commune economy system to an open market economy. These circumstances directly affected the population distribution and the migration patterns themselves. This research was restricted to internal (domestic) migration only, focusing on the increased migration flow from urban-to-rural areas. The social and economic effects of the new migration stream on the receiving rural communities was a primary concern. Field work was conducted in the Bulgarian villages of Shtraklevo and Ivanovo. The results revealed that young people are a main component of the "counterstream". Economic factors such as housing problems (high house prices or unattainable rents) comprised "repellent" factors for leaving the urban areas. The possibility of finding a job was the most powerful driving force towards the rural localities. The immigrants could not fit easily into the narrow rural labour markets. The majority of them had a definite willingness for a new rural exodus. As regards economic development of the villages, the investment of immigrants' remittances was obviously very important for the research. The highest proportion was invested in agriculture-purchase of animals, agricultural machinery or rent of agricultural land. Investment in small-scale businesses was less common. Finally, the migrants were absorbed by the existing socio-economic structure of the region rather than causing major economic or social upheavals
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