Analysis and conclusions: Research and policy challenges ahead

Abstract

The concluding chapter recaps the main findings of our research on different types of migration and mobility between Bulgaria and Switzerland and their determinants. Reference to East-West migration flows and transnational configurations in Europe helps in contrasting and understanding the peculiarities of the Swiss-Bulgarian case studied. Potential and current migration, including circular and return flows between Switzerland and Bulgaria, are the result of a combination of economic, social and political factors at micro, meso and macro levels that the research instruments have combined to capture. Stratified patterns of migration are explained by showing the role of inequality in permeating similar social processes and further enlarging the real and self-perceived divide between more and less successful Bulgarian migrants. The networking and transnational dimensions, in connection with inequalities, regional disparities and migration policy, explain to a great extent the degree of inclusion or exclusion, as well as the perceived sense of identity and belonging of different categories of Bulgarian migrants currently in Switzerland and circular/repeat migrants or returnees back in Bulgaria. The concluding remarks also aim to conceptualize further the interlinkages we have studied empirically to highlight the theoretical and empirical challenges which lie ahead for further research.