Development of the Bulgarian labor force in the last 10 years

Minka Anastasova-Chopeva

Abstract: The purpose of the article is to analyze the main trends in the labor force development in agriculture over the last ten years at national and regional level and to draw up the subsequent conclusions and recommendations. Given the growing role of quantitative and qualitative composition of agricultural workers, the increasing need for a thorough study of these complex processes is justified. On the basis of comparative analyzes between Bulgaria and the European countries the general and different characteristics of the labor potential in the agricultural sector are revealed. Emphasis is placed on the employment factors of young farmers, the effects of special incentives to attract highly qualified staff. Estimates of changes in the age structure of employed agricultural workers towards the end of the next programming period (2027) were made. Official data from EUROSTAT, NSI, MAF and others sources were used. The index, variance, comparative, descriptive analysis and graphical method are applied. On the basis of the analysis carried out, the relevant conclusions were made. The problems related to overcoming the outflow of a viable workforce from the sector over the next decade and in the longer term will be on the agenda both in Bulgaria and in Europe. Although the share of young agrarian managers in Bulgaria is higher than the average for European countries, their absolute decrease indicates serious problems related to the attraction and lasting retention of young people in the sector. The main conclusions show that financial incentives of the various measures and schemes to support their activities are essential to promote a sustainable interest in agricultural production and the penetration of more people into the sector. Moreover, the positive impact of incentives is much more pronounced among those who are descendants of the farm as compared to other people. It is the local farmers that can be considered as the socio-economic unit with the most stable entrepreneurial and labor potential for preserving the farm. The main group of reasons that dissuade people, especially young people, from engaging in farming and acting in the direction of ending employment in the sector is related to the low level of agricultural incomes, the low level of mechanization predominantly in vulnerable sectors, the quality of life in rural areas, limited access to credit and land purchase, uncertain market prices and barriers to commodity production, unacceptable technical, technological, ergonomic, etc. working conditions compared to other industries.

Keywords: age and educational structure; agriculture; employment; labor force; planning regions

Date published: 2019-10-04