HOW DID EU MEMBERSHIP AFFECT BULGARIA'S COMPETITIVENESS?

When Bulgaria joined the EU, given the membership-related liberalization of trade both within the Community and towards third countries, competitiveness was defined as the main challenge for our country. In this regard, it is of particular interest to trace whether or not Bulgaria's membership in the EU has led to higher competitiveness. The main aim of the research paper is to present, in absolute and relative terms (compared to the other EU member states and countries in the process of accession) the state and the change in competitiveness level of our country at the macro level after the accession to the EU. This is achieved by examining the state and change of macroeconomic competitiveness in absolute and relative terms through the results in the most extensive comparative study on competitiveness in which Bulgaria is periodically present throughout the period of European membership, namely: the World Competitiveness Yearbook of the International Institute for Management Development. Among the key research findings, our country’s lagging position in the main international rankings and unsatisfactory performance in terms of competitiveness compared to the other EU member states and the countries in the process of accession stand out; Bulgaria has failed to benefit from EU membership and competitiveness remains a major challenge for the development of the Bulgarian economy.