Regional Differentiation of Selected States of the Eastern Wing of the EU at the NUTS 2 Level in Relation to Rural Regions

Abstract

This article analyzes the current topic of regional disparities in the EU member states. The aim of the present study is to assess the regional disparities in the selected countries, as well as to identify the dynamics of the existing disparities in regional averages at the level of NUTS 2 statistical administrative units. The framework of the text is narrowed down to a regional analysis of seven selected countries of the EU's eastern wing (Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia). The text also highlights the position of rural areas and their role in the regional balance of the countries. The methodological approach is grounded mainly in the analysis of the development of disparities based on the analysis of empirical statistical data for the period 2001 to 2021, as well as on the assessment of the main features and trends of regional differentiation. To test convergence, the results of the coefficient of variation of GDP per capita in PPP were compared. The research showed the existence of significant differences in the economic development of the regions and different convergence tendencies. According to the results obtained, the countries studied were divided into three groups. Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Romania and Slovakia recorded the fastest pace of internal balance, with the Czech Republic and Bulgaria showing the smallest regional differences at NUTS 2 level. The second group of countries is represented by Poland and Slovenia, which have seen minimal changes in internal differentiation, while both countries are the least internally diversified in the group of seven countries examined. Hungary was the only country with an increase in regional disparities in the period under review, while Slovakia was one of the countries with the largest internal differences between regions. There is scope for future research to continue to monitor the evolution of convergence, including the impact of recent trends.