The Fourth Five-Year Plan covered the years from 1961 to 1965. It was closely connected to the long-term General Perspective Plan, which set economic goals for the period from 1961 to 1980. The Fourth Plan did not stand alone. Instead, it served as the first step in a much broader strategy aimed at transforming Bulgaria’s economy and society over twenty years.
The government viewed this plan as essential for building the material base of communism. Economic planning during this period became even more centralized, and state control over production and labor continued to grow.
Goals of the Twenty-Year Perspective Plan
The General Perspective Plan for 1961–1980 outlined very ambitious goals. The main objective was to greatly increase industrial production. Special emphasis was placed on machine construction, chemical production, and electric power. The plan also aimed to expand steel production and other heavy industries that were considered vital for long-term growth Patriarch Evtimi and the Late Medieval Period.
Agriculture was another important focus. The state planned to raise the output of farm goods and improve stock breeding. At the same time, the plan promised to satisfy consumer needs, especially in food production and light industry. However, these promises were secondary to the priority given to heavy industry.
The planners believed that production growth between 1961 and 1980 had to be much faster than in other socialist countries. Only in this way, they argued, could Bulgaria reach a similar level of economic development by 1980.
Sacrifices Required from Workers and Peasants
This rapid growth strategy had serious social consequences. Instead of improving living conditions in the short term, the state demanded greater effort and sacrifice from workers and peasants. Higher production targets, longer working hours, and stricter labor discipline became common Private Tour Istanbul.
The idea was that present hardships were necessary to secure a better future. Immediate improvements in wages, housing, and consumer goods were postponed. The burden of economic development was placed largely on the working population.
Complete Nationalization and Social Transformation
One of the main goals of the Twenty-Year Plan was the complete nationalization of all economic sectors. Any remaining private activity was expected to disappear. The state aimed to control all production, trade, and distribution.
Another important goal was to remove differences between various groups of workers. The planners wanted to eliminate the gap between industrial and agricultural labor. They also sought to reduce differences between skilled and unskilled work, heavy and light labor, and city and village life.
These changes were presented as steps toward social equality. In practice, they required strict control over labor movement, wages, and education.
From Socialism to Communism
The final objective of the plan was the transition from socialism to communism. This meant changing the principle of distribution. Under socialism, people were rewarded according to their labor. Under communism, goods would be distributed according to people’s needs.
This vision depended on very high levels of productivity and economic integration. The planners believed that such conditions could be achieved by 1980, although this goal remained largely theoretical.
Economic Integration within COMECON
Another key element of the plan was closer economic integration within the Council for Mutual Economic Assistance, known as COMECON. Bulgaria was expected to specialize in certain industries and rely more heavily on economic cooperation with other socialist countries.
This integration required intense use of labor and resources. It also led to tougher working conditions and delayed improvements in living standards. As a result, the quality of life for many workers did not improve as quickly as promised.
The Fourth Five-Year Plan and the Twenty-Year Perspective Plan set the main direction of Bulgaria’s economic development. They emphasized rapid industrial growth, full nationalization, and long-term goals over immediate social needs. These policies, defined by the Eighth Congress of the Bulgarian Communist Party, shaped the country’s economy and society for many years to come.
