Converging economies, diverging societies? Upward convergence in the EU - Foundation Forum 2017 - Session 3: Convergence and the regional dimension

This paper provides brief background information on a number of topics foreseen for discussion in Session 3 ‘Convergence and the regional dimension’ of the Foundation Forum 2017. These include: the differences in gross domestic product (GDP) per head of population, and differences in employment and unemployment at regional level, and the extent to which these variables have converged or not; some of the factors behind different regional outcomes – such as indicators of competitiveness, and the factors that contribute to it (spending on research and development, the availability of a skilled, well-educated workforce, and effective governance); and differences in social outcomes at regional level. 

Foundation Forum 2017: Converging economies, diverging societies? Upward convergence in the EU