Economic convergence of Central and Eastern European countries in the European Union
Eight Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries joined the European Union in 2004, and three later joined, aiming to align with the EU's average economic development. The main objective of this study is to assess the economic development status of CEE countries compared with the EU average a...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Taylor & Francis Group
2025-12-01
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| Series: | Political Research Exchange |
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| Online Access: | https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/2474736X.2025.2507633 |
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| author | Török László |
| author_facet | Török László |
| author_sort | Török László |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Eight Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries joined the European Union in 2004, and three later joined, aiming to align with the EU's average economic development. The main objective of this study is to assess the economic development status of CEE countries compared with the EU average and forecast their convergence by 2027. The study uses time-series analysis, normality tests, and convergence indices to determine the level of convergence achieved by CEE countries and various extrapolation methods to assess the level of convergence expected shortly. The results are ambivalent; in 2022, Lithuania, the Czech Republic, and Slovenia exceeded the EU average, while Croatia and Bulgaria lagged significantly behind. This study supports the neoclassical transition path theory, noting that in 2004, even less developed countries achieved the most dynamic growth by 2022. Despite the strong GDP correlation between EU and CEE countries, the drivers of GDP growth remain different. According to forecasting methods, Estonia will be next to reach an economic development level above the EU average. According to the results of extrapolation methods, Estonia may be followed by Poland, Romania and Slovakia in catching up with the EU. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-8cf1faec64504268b8adacb3d3b05cc8 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2474-736X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-12-01 |
| publisher | Taylor & Francis Group |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Political Research Exchange |
| spelling | doaj-art-8cf1faec64504268b8adacb3d3b05cc82025-08-20T01:52:41ZengTaylor & Francis GroupPolitical Research Exchange2474-736X2025-12-017110.1080/2474736X.2025.2507633Economic convergence of Central and Eastern European countries in the European UnionTörök László0Faculty of Engineering, Department of Engineering Management and Enterprise, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, HungaryEight Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries joined the European Union in 2004, and three later joined, aiming to align with the EU's average economic development. The main objective of this study is to assess the economic development status of CEE countries compared with the EU average and forecast their convergence by 2027. The study uses time-series analysis, normality tests, and convergence indices to determine the level of convergence achieved by CEE countries and various extrapolation methods to assess the level of convergence expected shortly. The results are ambivalent; in 2022, Lithuania, the Czech Republic, and Slovenia exceeded the EU average, while Croatia and Bulgaria lagged significantly behind. This study supports the neoclassical transition path theory, noting that in 2004, even less developed countries achieved the most dynamic growth by 2022. Despite the strong GDP correlation between EU and CEE countries, the drivers of GDP growth remain different. According to forecasting methods, Estonia will be next to reach an economic development level above the EU average. According to the results of extrapolation methods, Estonia may be followed by Poland, Romania and Slovakia in catching up with the EU.https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/2474736X.2025.2507633CEE countriesEuropean Unionconvergenceeconomic growthextrapolation |
| spellingShingle | Török László Economic convergence of Central and Eastern European countries in the European Union Political Research Exchange CEE countries European Union convergence economic growth extrapolation |
| title | Economic convergence of Central and Eastern European countries in the European Union |
| title_full | Economic convergence of Central and Eastern European countries in the European Union |
| title_fullStr | Economic convergence of Central and Eastern European countries in the European Union |
| title_full_unstemmed | Economic convergence of Central and Eastern European countries in the European Union |
| title_short | Economic convergence of Central and Eastern European countries in the European Union |
| title_sort | economic convergence of central and eastern european countries in the european union |
| topic | CEE countries European Union convergence economic growth extrapolation |
| url | https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/2474736X.2025.2507633 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT toroklaszlo economicconvergenceofcentralandeasterneuropeancountriesintheeuropeanunion |