Sofia, Bulgaria – A recent survey conducted by the newly established sociological agency Myara has revealed that Bulgarians perceive migration as a greater threat to Europe than to their own country.
The findings, presented in the YouTube show “A Question of Measure” hosted by Parvan Simeonov, indicate that nearly 600,000 adult Bulgarians consider migrants, even those fleeing war, as a national security concern.
The study highlights a sharp divide in public opinion, with migration being seen as a pressing issue for Europe but a less immediate threat to Bulgaria itself.
According to the survey, 48.7% of Bulgarians believe migration endangers Europe, while 29.1% disagree. When asked about the impact on Bulgaria, 40% of respondents considered migration a risk, while 35.1% dismissed such concerns.
Mixed Views on Migrants in the Workforce
One of the key issues explored in the survey was the role of migrants in the Bulgarian labor market. Despite ongoing workforce shortages in various sectors, there is significant resistance to accepting migrants for employment purposes.
While 36% of respondents were open to migrants coming to work in Bulgaria, a notable 50.4% opposed the idea.
The findings suggest that age plays a role in shaping these opinions, with older Bulgarians showing stronger disapproval, although younger people also tended to lean toward rejection.
Personal Security and EU Migration Policies
When migration was framed as a personal security issue, responses were split. Approximately 43% of Bulgarians said they felt threatened by migration, while 38.9% did not share this concern.
The perception of migrants as a security risk appears to be influenced by broader European migration patterns rather than direct local experiences.
Bulgarians also expressed dissatisfaction with the European Union’s handling of migration from regions such as the Middle East and Africa.
Only 21% of respondents approved of the EU’s migration policies, while a significant 44.9% disapproved. However, a sizable portion of participants remained undecided on the matter.
Distinguishing Between War Refugees and Other Migrants
The survey found that Bulgarians do not view all migrants in the same way. Among those who perceive migration as a national security threat, 62.3% believed it was important to distinguish between migrants fleeing war and those moving for other reasons.
However, 28.5% considered this distinction irrelevant, highlighting the complexity of public sentiment on migration. The study’s findings underscore the deep-rooted concerns and divisions in Bulgarian society regarding migration.
While the country does not experience migration on the same scale as some Western European nations, many Bulgarians remain apprehensive about the broader European context.
Survey Methodology
The survey was conducted between February 6 and 16, 2025, with a representative sample of 803 adult Bulgarian citizens. The margin of error is ±3.5%, meaning that each 1% of responses corresponds to approximately 54,000 people.
As migration continues to be a contentious issue across Europe, further research is expected to provide deeper insights into how Bulgarians perceive and respond to the evolving migration landscape.