The Economic and Social Council adopted an Opinion on “Measures to manage age differences in the workplace in the context of the competitiveness of enterprises in Bulgaria”, which highlights the growing need for active policies to manage generations in organisations. The ESC recognises that demographic processes are already significantly changing the age structure of the workforce in the country.
“Today’s workplace brings together representatives of five generations who have significant differences in worldview, values, and attitudes toward work and technology,”the documentsays. The Council warns of increasing ageism and intolerance, leading to alienation, demotivation, reduced team effectiveness and turnover.
The opinion stresses the need for institutions, employers and social partners to work purposefully to build a tolerant and compassionate working environment. The age stratification, ageing workforce, widening social distance and generational differences require a new approach and solutions and policies in people management that are adequate to the current reality.
“There is insufficient awareness and inadequate perception and understanding of age diversity. Lack of tolerance, prejudices and misconceptions about the abilities of people of different ages are woven into the public consciousness and affect relationships in the workplace,” the ESC stresses. The Council calls for immediate action to ratify ILO Convention No. 190, which establishes clear definitions and mechanisms for protection from violence, harassment and discrimination. The document highlights that favouring one generation over another is a discriminatory practice that does not lead to sustainable outcomes. International experience proves that organizations that manage diversity achieve higher profitability, better engagement and successfully attract talent.
The ESC draws attention to worrying trends in employment and labour force participation, according to whichthe working-age population declined by 19.1% between 2011 and 2021. The growth rate of the median age of the labour force in Bulgaria is also one of the highest in the EU. For the period 2010-2024, it has increased by more than 4 points – from 41.5 years to 45.7 years. If these growth rates are maintained , By 2050, the average age of the workforce in Bulgaria will be around 50 – 60 years. There are over 600 000 economically inactive people of working age (15-64) who are not in education or employment – a huge untapped labour market reserve.
The rapporteurs are Stanislav Popdonchev – member of the ESC from the Employers group, Andon Rokov – member of the ESC from the Trade Unions group and Detelina Smilkova – member of the ESC from the Civil Organizations group.
At its plenary session, the ESC also adoptedan Analysis “Financing of the Bulgarian Health System”, which outlines key structural weaknesses and the need for targeted reforms. Among its highlights is the extremely high share of co-payments by patients, which reaches 37% of total health expenditure – more than twice the EU average (around 15%). This creates a serious risk of limited access to medical services for vulnerable groups.
According to the analysis, the total spending on healthcare at 7.5% of GDP is significantly below European levels. The ESC also notes a clear imbalance: over 30% of the NHIF budget is spent on medicines, compared to only 17-18% on average in the EU. At the same time, spending on prevention remains critically low at around 2%, leading to increased spending on hospital treatment. The Council also highlights the growing indebtedness of medical institutions and the deepening shortage of medical staff, especially nurses.
Among the recommendations of the ESC are: tighter control of drug costs, expansion of funding for preventive care to at least 5%, introduction of mechanisms to limit hospital indebtedness and gradual reduction of direct payments through expansion of covered services and social support. Realistic pricing of medical activities is also proposed, as well as fairer payment to retain staff.
The rapporteurs are Valeri Apostolov, member of the ESC from the Trade Unions group and Detelina Smilkova, member of the ESC from the Civil Organizations group.
In the framework of the meeting, the Advisory Body also adopted the Analysis “Needs of enterprises and employees to adapt more quickly to the changes associated with the transition to a green and circular economy and digitalisation”.
The rapporteurs are Radka Yosifova – member of the ESC from the Employers’ Group and Valeri Apostolov – member of the ESC from the Trade Unions’ Group.
