Bulgaria remains in the plans for the future of the vast majority of young people, but they no longer perceive it as a given, but as a personal choice, tied to specific requirements for the environment and income. This is shown by the data from the new national survey “Life and Work in Bulgaria“, conducted by the sociological agency JTN and the platform “Bulgaria Wants You“.
According to the results of the survey, 89% of young people see their future in our country, which, however, marks the first clear decline of 4% compared to the levels of 2025. The change signals the appearance of the first cracks in the trust of the younger generation, which is starting to openly set conditions to stay in the country.
One of the most serious highlights in the study is the sharp increase in the criteria regarding remuneration. For young people in our country, money is no longer an additional incentive, but a basic requirement for starting a job. The data on the desired net monthly income outline the following thresholds:
846 euros are perceived as too low and unacceptable remuneration (growth by 6%);
1,941 euros is the amount that young people define as truly “motivating“ salary (up 17%);
€3,510 is the desired salary that respondents expect to reach within a year (a dramatic increase of 47%).
To receive this income, young Bulgarians declare their willingness to put in more effort, with 20% of them agreeing to work more than the standard 40 hours a week.
The traditional model, in which employees seek lasting stability in a company, is quickly losing ground to the pursuit of independence. Own businesses, digital niches and alternative sources of funds are becoming the new norm on the labor market.
Exactly 50% of respondents believe that starting a personal business is much more promising than hired labor, and 45% of young people are ready to choose income as content creators on the Internet. At the same time, only 17% of respondents have a clear professional plan for their career, which creates a serious risk of lack of professional orientation.
"For several years, we have observed a steady increase in optimism. In 2026, for the first time we see a correction. This is a clear signal - young people are not giving up on Bulgaria, but are starting to set conditions," commented Danyo Dimitrov, Managing Partner at JTN. According to him, the new generation does not just want employment, but full control over their time and lives.
The survey also reports a highly worrying social trend - a 6% drop in people planning to start a family and have children in the next five years (71% in total). The main blocking factor here turns out to be financial stability, indicated by 41% of respondents, followed by the desire for professional fulfillment (33%). When economic uncertainty begins to dictate personal emotional decisions, this is a serious signal of problems in the entire society.
Young people also identify three main priorities on which they expect real action from the new government - effective fight against corruption (48%), quality education (38%), and creation of real opportunities for economic development in the regions (38%). If the institutions do not meet these needs, 30% of respondents stated in the survey that they are ready to consider emigration.
The national survey was conducted in May 2026 among 500 men and women aged between 18 and 35 using the established international CAWI methodology.