Role of Higher Education to Increase Productivity in Bulgaria

Productivity is one of the most important economic categories with marked impact on prosperity, competitiveness and social welfare. Productivity-related aspects are of paramount importance to Bulgaria, too, as better results in both individual organizations and sectors and the economy as a whole are a crucial proof of the viability of the economy. Achieving higher productivity is an important prerequisite for a higher living standard of the society. It would be illusionary to expect sig­nificant improvement of living standards in the country and successes in combating poverty without achieving tangible results that would raise productivity. Productivity growth is a pre­requisite for solving the problems of employment and unemployment. But for that to happen the labor market should provide adequately trained workforce, bound to ensure the required performance. With the inter­action between the labor market and the market of educational services playing a major role, the focus should be set on better academic achieve­ment and the inflow of adequately trained young people that would boost productivity.