Similarities and Differences in the Spatial Development of Hungary

Abstract

One of the main objectives of the regional policy of Hungary and of the European Union is to reduce regional disparities. For this reason, the elimination of backwardness, the development and the catching-up of the regions is a key strategic task of the member states. The effective use of development aid based on the principles of regional policy can help to prevent or re-invigorate the irreversible breakdown of certain areas. The development of differences between the various regions is influenced by socio-economic factors as well as natural conditions. In Hungary, after the change of regime and then the accession to the European Union, significant regional development differences emerged. For this reason, analyses are needed to find out what positive or negative changes have occurred in this field in recent years. The analysis examines the differentiated development of the 20 territorial units of Hungary (19 counties + Budapest) from a few aspects, applying mathematicalstatistical methods to be able to show the main trends of the change of recent years.