BIRDS OF PASSAGE: PATTERNS OF BRAIN DRAIN FROM BULGARIA BEFORE AND AFTER THE TRANSITION TO DEMOCRACY1

Scientific emigration or ‘brain drain ’ from Bulgaria has purportedly increased considerably after the downfall of communism in 1989. The present study utilizes data sets from two large surveys of potential emigration of scientists and engineers in the capital Sofia to examine this phenomenon. The analysis shows that disposition among scientists and engineers to leave Bulgaria and work abroad has not changed substantially between 1989 (10%) and 1993 (12%). What differs is that several waves of brain drain have altered the age structure of R&D manpower. Findings from several OLS multiple regression models using the 1993 data reveal that potential emigration is affected by several factors such as knowledge of English, standard of living, and evaluation of the general perspectives for Bulgarian science. The slow speed of reforms and low salaries are the leading reasons for the decision to emigrate. U.S.A. is the preferred destination for long-term employment abroad