Cohesion policy

The gross domestic product (GDP) per capita in the region of Nord-Est (Romania) is four times lower than the average in Europe (24%). At the other extreme, Inner London's GDP per capita is three times higher (303%) than the.average, according to Eurostat, the European Union's statistical information service.

 

In 2005, one region in six was above 125% of the average in Europe; Inner London, Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and Brussels being the three richest regions in Europe. Among the 42 regions exceeding the 125% level, eight were in Germany, five each in the Netherlands and the United Kingdom, four each in Italy and Austria and three each in Belgium and Spain.

 

...and one region in four below 75%

 

The fifteen lowest regions in the ranking were all in Bulgaria, Poland and Romania. Among the 69 regions below the 75% level, fifteen were in Poland, eight in Romania, seven in the Czech Republic, and six each in Bulgaria, Greece and Hungary. Among all the regions from the 12 new Member States, only Prague was above the average (160%).