Freedom Struggles: Bulgaria Stuck Two Decades Behind in Global Index
The 2024 Human Freedom Index (HFI), compiled by the Cato Institute and the Canadian Fraser Institute, evaluates personal and economic freedoms across 165 countries
Bulgaria’s Google searches in 2023 unveiled a captivating mix of interests, reflecting the nation's pulse through the year. The release of Google's annual rundown of the most searched terms offers a unique glimpse into the country's trends and inclinations over the past year.
Natural events made a seismic impact on searches, quite literally, as earthquakes topped the list of most searched terms in Bulgaria. Following closely behind were inquiries about the pivotal "Elections 2023," underscoring the populace's political engagement. Notable figures like Vanya Grigorova and Mariya Gabriel secured spots among the top ten searches, indicative of the local interest in global affairs such as the Israel-Palestine conflict. Surprisingly, the Australian quokka, renowned as the world's happiest animal, also captured Bulgarians' curiosity, securing a respectable ninth place on the list.
Politicians took the spotlight in the realm of personalities, with Vanya Grigorova, a mayoral candidate in the capital, reigning supreme. Sporting personalities like chess champion Nurgyul Salimova, singer Kerana, business mogul Vasil Bozhkov, and former Prosecutor General Ivan Geshev also held sway among the top ten searches.
Literary pursuits found resonance with Bulgarians, with Georgi Gospodinov's "Time Shelter," recipient of the esteemed international Booker Prize, claiming the top spot among books. Biographies chronicling the lives of Matthew Perry, Prince Harry, and Lili Ivanova followed suit in the list's hierarchy.
The cinematic landscape was diverse, featuring global hits like "Oppenheimer" and "Barbie," alongside Bulgaria's very own "Chalga." Music-wise, the debut concert of Imagine Dragons in Bulgaria claimed the top spot, with Ed Sheeran's anticipated performance closely trailing. The eclectic mix of preferences was evident in the diverse array of concerts searched for, spanning artists like Nikolina Chakardakova, Sofi Marinova, the group "Molets," and pianist Evgeni Genchev.
In sports, local football teams dominated, but international events like the Women's World Cup and the charity event "Match of Hope" hosted by former national team captain Stiliyan Petrov garnered significant interest.
The tech-savvy populace exhibited an avid interest in artificial intelligence, as evidenced by the high searches for ChatGPT. The Ministry of Education's Digital Backpack platform and the BG-ALERT early warning system also held positions in the top technology-related searches.
From culinary curiosities to language nuances and informational quests on economics and relationships, the search categories revealed a broad spectrum of interests and inquiries that captivated Bulgarians throughout the year.
Full list:
General searches:
Bulgarian personalities:
Movies:
Concerts:
Sport events:
Books:
Tech searches:
Bulgarian TV formats and series:
How:
Recipe:
How much does it cost:
What did Bulgarians search for in 2022?
A fire broke out in a room on the third floor of a historic building on Gladston Street in Plovdiv
A partial state of emergency has been declared in the Nedelino Municipality by Mayor Boyan Kehayov due to power outages affecting three villages
The flu season is intensifying, and by the end of this week, five regions in Bulgaria—Haskovo, Silistra, Pazardzhik, Vidin, and Yambol—are expected to be on the verge of a pre-epidemic situation
The National Revenue Agency (NRA) in Bulgaria reminds individuals earning income outside of employment contracts to submit their tax declarations and settle any owed taxes by April 30
Bread prices in Bulgaria have increased by over 43% since 2021, with costs continuing to rise regardless of the VAT rate
On January 14, the weather in Bulgaria will feature mostly sunny skies in the northern regions as clouds begin to break up
Bulgaria's Perperikon: A European Counterpart to Peru's Machu Picchu
Bulgarians Among EU's Least Frequent Vacationers, Struggling with Affordability