GAPS IN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INTER AND INTRA EUROPEAN UNION STATES

Economic development is a subject that generates much controversy, mainly because of the widening gaps between poor and rich nations. In the present paper, we intend to identify and explain the differences that exist both between and within the European Union states, from an economic development point of view. In order to reach this objective, we have collected, analysed and interpreted information included in various statistical data bases, reports and year books. The results show that the development differences between EU economies are not so large, compared to the situation of the rest of the world. However, there are significant development gaps inside some EU states, especially from the South-East part of Europe and the Baltic countries.