Bulgaria

BULGARIA

A. THE COUNTRY

The Republic of Bulgaria is a Balkan state in southeastern Europe.
Following a Communist rule, a multiparty democracy was instituted in
1990.  Minerals and manufacturing are important to the economy.  Mass
privatization and foreign investment in real estate, tourism, IT and
communication changed the economy and labour market.  Over 200,000 in
rural areas emigrated to seek jobs.  Challenges include: needed reforms
in education, healthcare and regional development, poor public
administration, corruption and strong organized crime networks.

B. THE PEOPLE

The population is ~7,497,000 and official language Bulgarian.
~85% are Slavic, ~9.4% Turkic, ~4.7% Gypsy, ~0.9% Others (Albanian,
Armenian).  Poverty is widespread, as are divorce and abortion – there
are more abortions than live births.

C. RELIGIONS AND CHRISTIANITY/PENTECOSTALISM

Religious freedom is still not truly realized, although the situation
has improved greatly since 1990.
~79.91% claim to be Christian, ~12.1% Muslim, ~7.94% Non-religious,
~0.04% Jewish, ~0.01% Baha’i.
In the Christian category:
~78.56% are Orthodox, ~1.7% Protestant, ~0.99% Catholic, ~0.58%
Independent, ~0.15% are considered ‘marginal’.
Evangelicals represent ~1.9% of the population.
Charismatics represent ~1.8% and of those ~1.7% are Pentecostals.