2018 was more relaxed than anticipated, but more alarming than desired.
The president of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker, has said that Bulgaria is a "success story," which can inspire others.
When Juncker referred to Bulgaria's "success" he was particularly impressed with its low unemployment rate and economic growth. But should we be impressed, too?
The main reason for the low unemployment rate is mass emigration. Statistics show there are more Bulgarians working abroad than in Bulgaria: to be exact, 2.5m work abroad, while 2.2m work at home.
Bulgarians leave their country because it has little to offer them. Bulgaria has the lowest GDP per capita in the EU. Foreign investment has been steadily declining since 2007, which appears paradoxical because this is the year in which Bulgaria joined the EU.
Economic growth, which can largely be attributed to EU funds, is not remarkable if one considers inflation. Moreover, Bulgaria has a long history of smoothing data, so a canny observer should not take official statistics at face value.
Bulgarians have the lowest median earnings in the EU, too - so low that labour unions have estimated that even if both partners in a family work and receive the median salary, they will struggle to satisfy the basic needs of a four-member family.A staggering 22 percent of Bulgarians live below the poverty line.
SBS Radio Political Commentator Plamen Asenov analysis the main events of the last 12 months, that are expected to affect the developments in 2019.
