Spatial Inequalities in the Centre of Gravity in Central-Eastern Europe Based on the GVA and the Employment Rate

The issue of territorial disparities is an interesting subject of study in Europe, as there are significant socio-economic disparities between regions, which do not disappear over time, despite substantial levels of funding. The Central-Eastern European region is lagging significantly behind the EU as a whole and the Western regions, with significant intra-country differences. This study aims to examine six countries in the Central-Eastern European region in terms of county-level gross value added and employment rates, examining the convergence processes in the region. In addition to the growth rates of the regions, the study examines the emergence of sigma and beta convergence phenomena, as well as the importance of spatial spillover effects and neighbourhood relations in catching up. I investigate the probability that the spatial distribution of each indicator is heterogeneous, which I also illustrate by the change in the spatial centre of gravity. Convergence studies highlight the internal convergence of the region but also draw attention to the impact of different crises on inequalities.