Similar story in Bulgaria. The country had a strong industrial and mechanised agricultural base, with an educated workforce to match. Every small village was electrified and had at least one nearby factory of a small scale. They also had kindergartens, schools, libraries, football stadiums and a small railway station nearby. The planning was far from perfect - factories were built far from the available resources, there were shortages and excesses in the whole chain, but at least the communist leaders recognised the need for modernisation of the society and the economy.

Fast forward to today, where we have an economic centralisation and pollution around 3 or 4 major cities. The economic profile is mainly made up of exports of raw goods and services for local use with a low added value. There is a disconnect between the educational system and the economy, the culture (music, theater) has steadily declined.