The social economy is part of the national economy that is subordinate to social goals and uses socially acceptable forms of organizing economic activities. The realization of its employment opportunities as well as products and services of social significance is a topical national priority. Here are presented the main features of this economy and its current situation in Bulgaria. The legal environment and the need for a framework law for it have been considered; opportunities for training of social entrepreneurs; insufficient use of the European Social Fund to finance its initiatives. The perspectives of the social economy are placed within the framework of the development of the digital economy and its element.

The impact of labour remuneration, inequality and poverty on the work motivation of the Bulgarian population is examined. The focus is placed on determining such levels of labour income that would stimulate the employed and their professional realization. The results show the following: that wages are а weak incentive among employees; that dissatisfaction with the level of remuneration is high; that the age and the education structure of the population have a significant impact on work motivation; and that inequality and poverty have little impact on economic activity.

The article analyzes the state of the economy and the emerging trends resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. The potential risks (external and internal) on economic development are outlined and an analysis of the prospects in the medium and long term is made. The processes of changes in the banking sector related to the redistribution of the financial services market have been identified and analyzed. With regard to the labor market, it is concluded that labor resources are irreversibly declining, and the qualitative characteristics of the workforce become essential. The fact that the flexibility of the labor supply depends to a large extent on people in the older age groups is considered an unfavorable trend. With regard to the development of the National Recovery and Resilience plan, it is concluded that Bulgaria continues to lag behind within the EU both in terms of the time of submission of the plan and in terms of the degree of coverage of individual criteria and access to financial resources.