HIGHER EDUCATION AS A FACTOR FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF THE REGIONS IN BULGARIA.

The article analyzes the educational structure of the population at a regional level as a factor for growth. It compares the impact of education (with a particular focus on higher education) and the impact of other factors on the economic development of the regions (direct foreign investment, number of nonfinancial corporations per 1 000 people, costs of acquiring tangible fixed assets per capita in BGN), number of students in colleges and universities per 1 000 people, value of paid amounts under contracts of municipalities within the administrative area as beneficiaries under operational programs, BGN/person). Each of these indicators is compared with the role of higher education graduates at regional level for economic growth by looking not only at individual effects but also in the aggregate effects of these indicators. The analysis presents the dynamics of each indicator and the distances between the regions (compared to the maximum - the region with the highest values and the country average). The analysis presents whether there has been a convergence between the regions over the years or, the contrary - deepening differences between them. The article highlights the ideal mix of factors, needed for successful regional economic development and its supporting policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]