A magyar régiók fejlettségbeli különbségei - konvergencia vagy divergencia = Difference in economic development between regions in Hungary - convergence or divergence

Abstract

In my thesis I give a short introduction to the beta and sigma convergence indices, which follow the growth model of Solow and are interpreted in Sala-i Martin’s dissertation and Sala-i Martin’s and Barro’s joint research. In my presentation I compare the extent to which the regions in Hungary get closer to each other with the help of beta and sigma convergence indices before and after the EU accession. For these calculations I use the GDP per capita figure the analysed period (fifteen years between the years 2000 and 2015). The beta and sigma indicators of the regions suggest that accession to the EU was not followed by the catching up of the lesser-developed regions: in terms of GDP per capita figures regional disparities increased in the country. This divergent process can lead to two consequences: either the anticipated convergence will occur later, or the more and more pronounced centre-periphery tensions will grow steady and therefore the reduction of regional disparities will fail to be realised in the future too.