Bulgaria Named Europe's Unhappiest Country Despite £1.17 Beer and Cheap Ski Resorts
Bulgaria Named Europe's Unhappiest Country Despite £1.17 Beer and Cheap Ski Resorts

Bulgaria has been named the unhappiest country in Europe, despite offering some of the continent's cheapest ski holidays and beer. The Balkan nation scored just 5.6 out of 10 on a Eurostat life satisfaction survey, the lowest in the region.

Borovets, one of Bulgaria's most popular ski resorts, offers beers for £1.17 and lift passes from £29 per day. Ski rental for six days costs around £60.22, and accommodation starts at £52.45 per night, with some studios available for as little as £29 per night for two people.

The resort, at the foot of 9,500ft Mount Musala, features 24 ski runs and offers hiking to the glacial Icy Lake. Bulgaria's capital Sofia also attracts visitors with its rich history, including the St George Rotunda Church and the National Opera and Ballet Centre, plus cheap beer at £1.10 a pint.

Despite these attractions, Bulgaria's average life satisfaction score of 5.6 was below all other European nations surveyed. In contrast, Austria topped the list with a score above 6, and an average gross salary of £45,635.35 compared to Bulgaria's £17,521.48.