Rising Interest in Studying Abroad Among Young Bulgarians
Young Bulgarians are increasingly interested in pursuing higher education abroad, with a significant rise in the number of students seeking opportunities outside the country. This trend is evident in the 30% increase in interest compared to the previous year, and the 11% jump in the number of students actually leaving for the 2024-2025 academic year.
The Netherlands remains the top destination for Bulgarian students, attracting 38% of those who choose to study abroad. This popularity is likely due to the high success rate of Bulgarian students in the Netherlands, where they consistently rank among the top 5 performing groups.
Belgium follows closely behind as the second most popular destination, with 12% of Bulgarian students choosing to study there. Italy and the UK are tied for third place, each attracting 10% of the outbound student population.
However, the number of Bulgarian students heading to the UK has significantly decreased since Brexit, dropping from around 2,000 in 2014 to just 300-400 in 2021.
The most sought-after fields of study among Bulgarian students abroad include innovation, artificial intelligence, and digital media, reflecting the growing demand for expertise in these rapidly evolving areas.