Being established from the initiative of six visionary countries in the second half of the 20th century, the European Economic Community has shifted the history of the European continent by promoting economic collaboration and political stability. Given its initial success, the regional group has quickly evolved from customs union to Economic and Monetary Union, comprising nowadays twenty-seven European countries. Although the European Union has successfully managed political, economic, social and even sanitary turmoil, the stability of the European architecture continues to be threatened by the heterogeneity of its members. In this respect, one of the main challenges for the European Union in its current composition aims the convergence of the economic performance between countries and regions. The purpose of this paper is to study the economic growth patterns in the European Union during 2000 and 2019, also conducting a comparative analysis between New and Old Member States. In order to capture the European economic landscape, the methodology was based on conditional β-convergence and the estimates were conducted by using ordinary least squares and generalized least squares with fixed effects. We have tried to find the relationship between the lagged value of GDP per capita and the subsequent growth rates, but also to study the influence of macroeconomic and social-related variables. By estimating regressions based on panel data, we have found evidence in favor of income convergence in the European Union, based on the inverse relationship between the lagged value of GDP per capita and the annual growth rates. Moreover, the comparative analysis between the New and Old Members illustrated that convergence was stronger in the latter group, given the sound macroeconomic and social environment. The empirical analysis suggested that the economic growth process both at aggregate and subgroup level was enhanced by investment, exports of goods and services, sound public finances and the increase of percentage of population with tertiary education. Consequently, in order to increase the cohesion between Members and to avoid separatist movements, the European decision-makers should strengthen the macroeconomic and social frameworks, maintaining a sustainable economic growth trajectory for both the New Members from Central and Eastern Europe and the Old Member States.
With advancement of the European integration process, income convergence has become a debated topic that has challenged both the academic forums andthe decision-makers' community. With the first waves of the EU enlargement, it has become indisputable for the European leaders that in order to ensure economic and political stability, the European Union has to promote convergence between countries and regions. The main purpose of this paper is to study income convergence in the European Union by taking into consideration both the national and regional dimensions. In this respect, we have examined (absolute) β- and σ-convergence between 2000 and 2018, finding evidences in favour of the neoclassical growth model assumptions. The results of our study confirm the β-convergence hypothesis as the poorer countries and regions from Central and Eastern Europe experienced higher growth rates than the developed ones. In the second part of our paper, we have tried to examine the key drivers of economic growth in the European Union (conditional β-convergence). Our study suggests that variables such as gross fixed capital formation, real labour productivity and labour force participation rate had a positive impact on convergence. In contrast, the growth rates in the European Union were hampered by over-indebtedness, high rates of inflation and unemployment. These internal vulnerabilities together with external challenges threaten the stability and prosperity of the European continent. Consequently, the European Union needs more than ever to reconsider its growth model in order to ensure long-term convergence and to avoid the polarisation between its Members.
The recent waves of enlargement of the European Union have created not only opportunities, but also challenges, emphasizing the complexity of the integration process and the difficulty to assure cohesion between Members. The aim of this paper is to examine real convergence in an enlarged European Union and to conduct a comparative analysis between the New (13) and the Old Members (15). In this respect, we have studied absolute and conditional convergence between 1995 and 2019, taking into consideration the level of GDP per capita. The methodological tools of the research were β-convergence based on cross-sectional and panel regressions and σ-convergence. The results of our study confirm the 2% law of convergence within the European Union between 1995 and 2019. However, the analysis of the economic performances among the New and Old Members led us to opposite results: while the catching-up speed among the New Member States reached on average 2.7%, in the Old Members we didn't identify a statistically significant relationship between the initial income and the subsequent growth rates. In order to account for economic and social differences between the Member States, we have examined conditional convergence, illustrating the defining role of investment, trade and labor productivity in catalyzing convergence both in the New and Old Members. In contrast, the empirical study suggests that an increased level of public expenditures and over-indebtedness within the European Union threaten the catching-up process. The results of our paper can be useful for the European decision makers, illustrating the factors that might contribute to the achievement of the objective of real convergence within the European Union.
Keywords: real convergence, European Union, New Member States, β-convergence, σ-convergence.
The International Conferences on Economics and Social Sciences (ICESS)organized by Bucharest University of Economic Studies provides an opportunity for all those interested in Economics and Social Sciences to discuss and exchange research ideas. The papers presented at the Conference are available online in the Conference Proceedings series (ISSN 2704-6524): Volume 2019 Collaborative Research for Excellence in Economics and Social Sciences, ISBN 9788366675322 Volume 2020 Innovative Models to Revive the Global Economy, ISBN 9788395815072 This conference provides an opportunity for all those interested in Economics and Social Sciences to discuss and exchange research ideas. We welcome both empirical and theoretical work that is broadly consistent with the conference' general theme. Especially, researchers, PhD students and practitioners are invited to submit papers on the topics related to new models in entrepreneurship and innovation, sustainability and education, data science and digitalization, marketing and finance, Fintech & Insurtech etc. that will develop innovative instruments for countries, businesses and education. The innovative models for sustainable development aim to ensure simultaneous economic development, social development, and environmental protection, to achieve a higher quality of life for all people and protect all living beings and the planet. The main topics of the conference are focused on but not limited to the following sections: Fintech & Insurtech - towards a sustainable financial environment The role of innovation in public and private organizations Financial perspectives in turbulent times Global Challenges for Agri-Food Systems and Sustainable Development Economic Policies for Non-Cyclical Crises Education for Sustainable Development: impact of universities on society Marketing and Sustainability The role of accounting in Sustainable Development Global world after crisis: towards a new economic model Sustainability for future business Current challenges within demographic data: measurement, collection, retrieval, analysis and reporting We welcome you to join us for two intensive days of plenary speeches and specialized parallel sessions debates that will result in high quality practical insights and networking. Scientific CommitteeACELEANU Mirela, Bucharest University of Economic Studies, RomaniaALBU Lucian, Academia Romana, RomaniaANGHEL Ion, Bucharest University of Economic Studies, RomaniaARROYO GALLARDO Javier, Complutense University of Madrid, SpainAUSLOOS Marcel, Leicester University, United KingdomBEGALLI Diego, University of Verona, ItalyBELLINI Francesco, Sapienza University of Rome, ItalyBRATOSIN Ștefan, Universite Montpellier 3, FranceCABANIS Andre, Universite Toulouse 1 Capitole, FranceCASTERAN Herbert, EM Strasbourg University, FranceCENȚIU Silvian, Retina Communications, San Francisco, USACERQUETI Roy, Sapienza University of Rome, ItalyCHAVEZ Gilbert, Globis University Tokyo, JapanCOSTICÃ Ionela, Bucharest University of Economic Studies, RomaniaCOX Michael, London School of Economics, England, UKD'ASCENZO Fabrizio, Sapienza University of Rome, ItalyDIMA Alina Mihaela, Bucharest University of Economic Studies, RomaniaDÂRDALÃ Marian, Bucharest University of Economic Studies, RomaniaDUMITRESCU Dan Gabriel, Bucharest University of Economic Studies, RomaniaDUMITRU Ovidiu, Bucharest University of Economic Studies, RomaniaFELEAGÃ Liliana, Bucharest University of Economic Studies, RomaniaFONSECA Luis Miguel, Polytechnic of Porto, PortugalGARCÍA-GOÑI Manuel, Universitad Complutense de Madrid, SpainGIUDICI Paolo, The University of Pavia, ItalyGRUBOR Aleksandar, University of Novi Sad, SerbiaHÄRDLE Wolfgang Karl, Humboldt University of Berlin, GermanyHURDUZEU Gheorghe, Bucharest University of Economic Studies, RomaniaISTUDOR Nicolae, Bucharest University of Economic Studies, RomaniaKOKUSHO Kyoko, IBM Tokyo, JapanLOMBARDI Mariarosaria, University of Foggia, ItalyMEHMANPAZIR Babak, EM Strasbourg University, FranceMIRON Dumitru, Bucharest University of Economic Studies, RomaniaNABIRUKHINA Anna Vadimovna, Saint Petersburg State University, RussiaNICA Elvira, Bucharest University of Economic Studies, RomaniaNIJKAMP Peter, Jeronimus Academy of Data Science Den Bosch, NetherlandsNOVO CORTI Maria Isabel, Universidade da Coruña, SpainORDÓÑEZ MONFORT Javier, Jaume I University, SpainPANETTA Roberto, Bocconi University, ItalyPARASCHIV Dorel Mihai, Bucharest University of Economic Studies, RomaniaPICATOSTE Xose, Universidad Autonoma de Madrid, SpainPIROȘCÃ Grigore, Bucharest University of Economic Studies, RomaniaPOINT Sébastien, EM Strasbourg University, FrancePOPA Ion, Bucharest University of Economic Studies, RomaniaPROFIROIU Marius Constantin, Bucharest University of Economic Studies, RomaniaRICHMOND Peter, Trinity College Dublin, IrelandSÂRBU Roxana, Bucharest University of Economic Studies, RomaniaSINGER Slavica, J.J. Strossmayer University of Osijek, CroatiaSMEUREANU Ion, Bucharest University of Economic Studies, RomaniaSTAMULE Tãnase, Bucharest University of Economic Studies, RomaniaSTATE Radu, University of Luxembourg, LuxembourgSTOIAN Mirela, Bucharest University of Economic Studies, RomaniaSTRAT Vasile Alecsandru, Bucharest University of Economic Studies, RomaniaSTREET Donna, University of Dayton, USATEIXEIRA DOMINGUES José Pedro, University of Minho, PortugalȚIGU Gabriela, Bucharest University of Economic Studies, RomaniaVALDEBENITO Carlos Ramirez, University of Chile, Santiago de Chile, ChileVEGHEȘ Cãlin Petricã, Bucharest University of Economic Studies, RomaniaVERHOEF Peter, University of Groningen, NetherlandsVOLKMANN Christine Katharina, Schumpeter School of Business and Economics, Bergische Universität Wuppertal, GermanyWALTER FARKAS Erich, University of Zurich, SwitzerlandWIERENGA Berend, Rotterdam School of Management, NetherlandsWOODS Michael, University of Aberystwyth, Wales, UKZIMMERMANN Klaus F., Bonn University (em.) end Global Labor Organization, Germany Open Access Statement These conference proceedings are Open Access proceedings that allow a free unlimited access to all its contents without any restrictions upon publication to all users. Open Access License These conference proceedings provide immediate open access to its content under the Creative Commons BY-NC-ND 4.0. Authors who publish with these proceedings retain all copyrights and agree to the terms of the above-mentioned CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 license. ABSTRACTING & INDEXING Innovative Models to Revive the Global Economy is covered by the following services: Directory of Open Access Books (DOAB) EBSCO Discovery Service Google Scholar Naviga (Softweco) Primo Central (ExLibris) ReadCube Summon (ProQuest) TDOne (TDNet) WorldCat (OCLC)