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Abstract

The EU’s position within the G20 across various dimensions of socioeconomic development has changed since the turn of the 21st century. This policy brief analyses trends in human development, labour market participation, digital adoption and environmental sustainability among the G20 members to assess the EU’s standing within the group. It also investigates whether G20 members are converging in respect of these dimensions to determine whether the differences between them are narrowing or widening. The findings reveal a mixed picture, with the EU maintaining a high level of human development but experiencing a relative decline in some dimensions vis-à-vis other G20 members. The analysis underscores the importance of addressing these trends and leveraging the opportunities presented by the green and digital transition.

Key messages

  • The EU maintains a high level of human development but has slipped back in the G20 human development index (HDI) rankings since 2000, driven largely by slower growth in national income and life expectancy compared with other rapidly progressing G20 members. The EU continues, however, to retain its strong position in education. 
     
  • Human development gaps among G20 members are narrowing, driven primarily by China’s rapid improvement. Less-developed countries are catching up with their more developed counterparts, creating greater convergence in HDI.  
     
  • Economic convergence is taking place as poor-performing countries, especially China, catch up with the best performers. Income disparities across the G20 are also narrowing as less-developed countries experience faster economic growth.  
     
  • The EU has been at the forefront of cutting per-capita greenhouse gas emissions, even though total emissions among the G20 have risen due to rapid economic growth in countries such as China. This highlights the difficult challenge of balancing industrialisation with environmental sustainability through development pathways that decouple economic growth from environmental degradation.
     
  • The EU demonstrated strong performance in education and digital access, with high levels of human capital and digital adoption. Its strengths in these key areas are crucial to future growth and its competitive position in the global economy.   

The policy brief contains the following lists of tables and figures.

List of tables

  • Table 1: Indicators used in the analysis

List of figures

  • Figure 1: HDI scores, G20 members, 2000–2021
  • Figure 2: HDI performance of G20 members, by cluster, 2000 and 2021
  • Figure 3: Life expectancy at birth, G20 members, 2000–2021
  • Figure 4: Trend in overall disparities in life expectancy (sigma-convergence), G20, 2000–2021
  • Figure 5: Mean years of schooling, G20 members, 2000–2021
  • Figure 6: GNI per capita, G20 members, 2000–2021 ($)
  • Figure 7: Employment-to-population ratio of G20 members, by cluster, 2000 and 2023
  • Figure 8: Internet use among G20 members, by cluster, 2000 and 2022
  • Figure 9: Total GHG emissions, G20 members, 2000–2020 (million t CO2eq)
  • Figure 10: GHG emissions per capita, G20 members, 2000–2022 (t CO2eq/cap)
Number of pages
28
Reference nº
EF24025
ISBN
978-92-897-2441-8
Catalogue nº
TJ-01-24-007-EN-N
DOI
10.2806/0808636
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