Convergence and disparities in regional gross domestic product

Regional Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in purchasing power standards (PPS) per capita has been catching up significantly in many of the less prosperous regions of the EU since the year 2000. Early data from some Member States suggest that rural areas were less affected by the economic downturn in 2008 and 2009 than high-income regions and areas with a high dependence on exports, financial services or tourism. However, regional disparities are increasing inside new Member States.