Convergence and divergence – 10 years since EU enlargement

The enlargement of the EU to Central and Eastern Europe after 2004 was accompanied by great optimism: more dynamic economic development was expected in the wider Europe and also a general further development of social standards. The banking and debt crisis that started in 2008, however, has revealed structural shortcomings that disrupted and partly reversed the desired trends. The main reasons were inadequate governance options with regard to European economic and financial policy, together with substantial interference in the social dimension in the old and the new Member States. The impact of these processes in terms of convergence and divergence in the EU can be demonstrated on the basis of comparative empirical data series of core indicators in key areas for EU citizens. This impact has been exacerbated by inadequate state social protection and its funding by means of widely varying forms of taxation. A summary composite convergence/divergence index shows the current effects of crisis strategies in the EU regions.