site.btaBulgaria Drops in World Digital Competitiveness Ranking for 2024

Bulgaria slipped one spot to 56th place in the 2024 World Digital Competitiveness Ranking, the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) said on its website on Monday.

Despite the inclusion of three new economies, the drop signals a need for more active efforts to boost digital competitiveness, the Chamber noted.

Overall Rankings and Knowledge:

Bulgaria's drop to 56th place reflects challenges across several key areas. In the Knowledge category, the country dropped four spots to 59th, pointing to weaknesses in expertise and skills. Talent fell three places, and Training & Education dropped by eight spots, stressing the need for educational reforms. Scientific Concentration also declined by three spots, highlighting gaps in research infrastructure and funding.

Technology:

The Technology category saw a positive shift, with Bulgaria climbing seven spots to 49th. Capital surged by 17 places, and the Technological Framework improved by one spot, demonstrating progress in innovation and infrastructure. However, the Regulatory Framework dropped by one spot, signalling the need for a more predictable and supportive legislative environment to foster competitiveness.

Future Readiness:

In Future Readiness, Bulgaria slipped three spots overall. Adaptive Attitudes saw a significant decline, dropping eleven spots, underscoring challenges in adopting new technologies. IT Integration fell by three spots, but Business Agility improved by five spots, suggesting resilience in adapting to changing market dynamics.

BCCI emphasized that while there are areas of progress, such as technological investment, the overall results highlight significant challenges in education, research funding, and regulatory support. Addressing these gaps is essential for Bulgaria to strengthen its position in global digital competitiveness.