The economic gap between the EU and three candidate countries - Bulgaria, Romania and Turkey - is significant. Living standards, as measured by GDP per capita at PPP, are less than one third of the level prevailing in the former EU-15 u0096 and about half of the average level in the new member...

The report summarises the results generated in empirical analysis within a larger EU's 5th framework programme for research and development on the determinants of productivity gaps between the current EU-15 and accession states in central and eastern Europe. The focus of research in this part of...

Regional income and labour market disparities in Poland are characterised by three dimensions: the gap between the western and the eastern parts of the country, the privileged position of the capital region and rising differences between rural and urban regions. Disparities in labour markets are...

This report examines some of the ways in which the social partners have been involved in anticipating and managing change – namely, through their establishment or close participation in ‘transitional agencies’ and other structures set up to minimise the negative consequences of...

We live in a service economy, but the extent of development of service employment differs across developed countries. This paper assesses the role of structural factors and institutions in explaining the common patterns and main differences in the recent expansion of service employment in OECD...

This report contains environmental profiles for the 25 Overseas countries and territories (OCTs) associated with the European Union. These environmental profiles are set in a socio-economic developmental perspective so that the findings can be used to assist in programming projects in the...

The main challenge that OCTs face consists in putting their economies and societies on a sustainable development path by increasing their competitiveness, reducing their vulnerability to external shocks, increasing environmental resilience, cooperating with their neighbours and, where possible,...

Connectivity Agenda Improving connectivity within the Western Balkans, as well as between the Western Balkans and the European Union, is a key factor for growth and jobs and will bring clear benefits for the region's economies and citizens. The Western Balkans six (WB6) has made the connectivity...