The Beta-convergence Analysis and Regional Disparities in EU-28

The main objective of this research is to analyse the beta-convergence in European Union (EU-28), showing the regional income disparities. There was a faster increase of GDP per capita in poor economies in the period from 2001 to 2012. The absolute convergence was assessed using the approach based on spatial lag dependence. The rate of convergence has a low value of 0.46% for EU-28 during 2001-2012. The catching-up process is mostly in EU-28 a national phenomenon. The results of the estimations suggest not significant convergence within EU-28 members.