Real convergence in Central and Eastern European EU member states

Central and Eastern European EU Member States have made considerable progress in the economic transition and integration into the European Union. Nevertheless, the challenges of real convergence will remain relevant for these countries in the medium and long term. This paper focuses on the process of the real economic convergence among the five Central European EU Countries: the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, the Slovak Republic, and Slovenia. We have analysed both β and σ convergence in the period 1995-2011. The Central European EU countries are well positioned to catch up with the EU-15 average, however, the experience of the EU-15 countries shows that convergence cannot be taken for granted.