Remigration In Bulgaria During Global Pandemic

The coronavirus pandemic took over the world in early March this year. Fast and wide-ranging, the COVID-19 infection has posed many challenges to the economies of many countries. Closed international borders and impose travel bans have restricted the free mobility of people across Europe and the whole world. That strongly influenced the remigration flow to Bulgaria, which increased as a result of the pandemic. The study takes into consideration two groups of factors regarding the current migration situation – economic and social. On the one hand, as the crisis is expanding, the recession is most likely. That would drive a widespread of economic consequences as unemployment and negative affection of incomes. On the other hand, health concerns and panic may force many Bulgarians to return to their families in the country. The aim of the report is to examine what the main motives are that drive migrants to return to Bulgaria during the COVID-19 pandemic. An online survey among Bulgarians abroad examines their expectations towards the economic consequences in their country of residence and how it will affect their attitude regarding possible remigration. The results of the survey are compared to a netnographic analysis of the same group of migrants in the social media.