Brussels, 12/10/2015 (Agence Europe) - Despite slight convergence over recent years between the European regions, socio-economic and demographic disparities remain significant according to the EU's Statistics Office (Eurostat) Regional Yearbook 2015, published on Friday 9 October.
These results confirm previous trends. According to the three strategic indicators used by Eurostat (per capita GDP, demographic developments and unemployment rates), there has been convergence over the 2000-2014 period. Therefore, in 2000, per capita GDP in the most developed regions (per capita GDP above 90% of the European average in the EU 27) was 2.8 times higher than that in the least developed regions (GDP per capita less than 75% of the European average in the EU 27). In 2013, this ratio had fallen to 2, according to Eurostat. This ratio is particularly high in some states, such as the United Kingdom, Romania, Slovakia and in France the level stood at 3.
Those responsible for the study also highlight the fact that transition regions (per capita GDP between 75 and 90% of the EU 27 GDP average) are those most affected by the crisis. In 2013, their per capita GDP remained below the level they had in 2007, whilst the most developed regions recovered their previous levels as from 2013, whilst the regions recovered their 2010 pre-crisis levels. This can also be explained by what the study describes as declining demographic levels.
Demographic developments are one of the indicators highlighting the significant disparities between the regions and member states. Between 2008 and 2014, the EU's population increased by 1.3%, to reach 507 million. A dual movement can be observed at both European and national levels. In the former, eastern and Baltic countries (particularly Lithuania and Latvia) have experienced significant demographic declines, as opposed to Luxembourg and Cyprus, which have experienced increases in double figures. As a national level, the data collected illustrates a depopulation of rural zones to the benefit of urban areas and the big cities. These developments can be explained by developments in employment trends at national and European levels. (Original version in French by Pascal Hansens)