Widespread xenophobia and lack of comprehensive integration policies create unfavourable conditions for migrant integration in Bulgaria. This is one of the main findings of a survey by the Bertelsmann Stiftung published on 18 August 2016. The survey administrated in 41 OECD countries covers areas as varied as social and economic policies, democracy and environmental policies.

Here are some of the findings on the integration of third country nationals in Bulgaria:

• The country's social policy is unsuccessful in including minorities and foreigners. It is suggested that this is partially due to the fact that policies are insufficiently tailored to the needs of these specific groups.
• The slight increase in the number of refugees since 2013 has mainly been met with widespread hostility, despite some visible efforts by civil society organisations and spontaneous humanitarian actions by citizens.
• Ineffective policy mechanisms, coupled with general hostility, has created a highly unfavourable environment for the integration of migrants in the society. Integration remains a minor policy area in Bulgaria partially because the number of migrants is fairly limited: less than 1% of the total population.
• The arrival of several thousands refugees from Syria in 2013/14 showed the limited capacity of the Bulgarian society to accommodate migrants. In addition, in many municipalities, locals protested against welcoming migrants in their neighbourhood and children's schools

To address these issues, Bulgaria’s policy response has focused on preventing migrants from entering the country rather than improving its integration system. In fact, the country continues to pursue segregation in areas such as education, where language proficiency requirements prevent most refugee/migrant children from enrolling in school.

Sustainable Governance Indicators 2016 

Bulgarian report

Critical media coverage criticism