This chapter discusses key macroeconomic trends in the Baltic states before and after their accession to the European Union in 2004. The countries have seen rapid economic growth, and the income gap with the EU countries in Western Europe has narrowed substantially. The convergence process has...

This chapter analyzes the sources of Poland's unprecedented economic performance after 1989, when Poland became Europe's and the world's growth champion. I argue that this growth miracle was driven by five fundamental factors, including Poland’s accession to the European Union. All five...