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Regionale Konvergenz- und Polarisierungsprozesse in der Europäischen Union

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  • Kurt Geppert
  • Martin Gornig

Abstract

Income convergence and cohesion are at the centre of EU regional policy. Our non-parametric and descriptive analyses show that economic disparities between the regions of the EU have decreased considerably during the last two decades. The distribution of regional per-capita income has become tighter, i.e. more concentrated around the average. From an equity perspective the fact that the poorest regions have narrowed their lag on the rest is particularly satisfactory. Also in line with the aims of convergence and cohesion is the dynamic growth of most metropolitan areas in the erstwhile economically backward countries. In contrast, the picture for "old-industrialised" areas, many of which received EU aid under objective 2, is rather mixed. Obviously, national factors play a major role: French and German regions suffered the highest losses of ranks in the income hierarchy. These two countries have been exhibiting relatively slow economic growth, at least during parts of the period observed. Regionale wirtschaftliche Disparitäten sind die zentralen Orientierungsgrößen der auf Konvergenz und Kohäsion gerichteten nationalen und europäischen Regionalpolitik. In diesem Papier untersuchen wir, wie sich die Pro-Kopf-Einkommen in den Regionen der EU 15 entwickelt haben. Die nichtparametrischen und deskriptiven Analysen zeigen, dass sich die regionalen Einkommensunterschiede in der EU seit 1980 wesentlich verringer haben. Dabei hat die Konzentration von Regionen auf den mittleren Bereich der Einkommenshierarchie spürbar zugenommen. Aus der Sicht der ausgleichsorientierten Regionalpolitik ist besonders erfreulich, dass die ärmsten Regionen der EU in den dünn besiedelten südeuropäischen Ländern Anschluss an die wirtschaftliche Entwicklung in der EU insgesamt schaffen konnten. Dem Ausgleichsziel der EU-Regionalpolitik entspricht auch die dynamische Entwicklung in den Agglomerationszentren der 1980 noch rückständigen EU-Staaten. Ebenfalls mit EU-Mitteln geförderte altindustrielle Verdichtungsgebiete sind dagegen sowohl unter den Absteiger- als auch den Aufsteigerregionen zu finden. Hinzuweisen ist hier allerdings auf den starken Einfluss nationaler Entwicklungen. Die höchsten Verluste in der Einkommenshierarchie mussten Regionen aus Deutschland und Frankreich hinnehmen, zwei Ländern mit makroökonomisch ungünstigen Wachstumskennziffern.

Suggested Citation

  • Kurt Geppert & Martin Gornig, 2005. "Regionale Konvergenz- und Polarisierungsprozesse in der Europäischen Union," Vierteljahrshefte zur Wirtschaftsforschung / Quarterly Journal of Economic Research, DIW Berlin, German Institute for Economic Research, vol. 74(1), pages 8-25.
  • Handle: RePEc:diw:diwvjh:74-1-2
    DOI: 10.3790/vjh.74.1.8
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