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The Impact of Structural Funds on Regional Growth: A Panel Data Spatial Analysis

Author

Listed:
  • Micaela Antunes

    (University Coimbra, CeBER)

  • Miguel Viegas

    (DEGEIT - University of Aveiro)

  • Celeste Varum

    (DEGEIT - University of Aveiro)

  • Carlos Pinho

    (DEGEIT - University of Aveiro)

Abstract

The European Union is one of the most prosperous areas of the world. However, huge disparities remain among its member states and regions. Given the persistence of those large regional inequalities, it is pertinent to analyse the efficiency of structural funds. In light of the neoclassical theory, these funds should contribute to improving the economic efficiency among the poorest regions, promoting regional convergence. However, the new economic geography states that structural funds may also facilitate the geographic concentration of economic activities, thus perpetuating regional imbalances. This article measures the impact of structural funds on regional convergence using a spatial econometric approach applied to an extended sample of European regions across a long time interval. Based on data for 96 EU regions during the period 1995–2009, a Durbin model with panel data is estimated in order to capture the effects of spatial dependence in both the lagged dependent variable and the independent variables. The results confirm the existence of conditional convergence and the importance of neighbourhood and spillover effects but do not detect the existence of positive impacts from structural funds.

Suggested Citation

  • Micaela Antunes & Miguel Viegas & Celeste Varum & Carlos Pinho, 2020. "The Impact of Structural Funds on Regional Growth: A Panel Data Spatial Analysis," Intereconomics: Review of European Economic Policy, Springer;ZBW - Leibniz Information Centre for Economics;Centre for European Policy Studies (CEPS), vol. 55(5), pages 312-319, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:intere:v:55:y:2020:i:5:d:10.1007_s10272-020-0921-1
    DOI: 10.1007/s10272-020-0921-1
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    3. Jiří Dušek, 2024. "The Past, Present, and Future of Cross-Border Cooperation between Municipalities in the South Bohemian Region: A Case Study," Administrative Sciences, MDPI, vol. 14(7), pages 1-23, June.
    4. Nikolitsa Spilioti & Athanasios Anastasiou, 2024. "European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIFs) and Regional Development across the European Union (EU)," JRFM, MDPI, vol. 17(6), pages 1-18, May.
    5. Sergio Destefanis & Valter Di Giacinto, 2022. "EU structural funds and GDP per capita: Spatial VAR evidence for the European regions," Discussion Paper series in Regional Science & Economic Geography 2022-09, Gran Sasso Science Institute, Social Sciences, revised Oct 2024.
    6. Tiganasu, Ramona & Lupu, Dan, 2023. "Institutional quality and digitalization: Drivers in accessing European funds at regional level?," Socio-Economic Planning Sciences, Elsevier, vol. 90(C).
    7. Scotti, Francesco & Flori, Andrea & Pammolli, Fabio, 2022. "The economic impact of structural and Cohesion Funds across sectors: Immediate, medium-to-long term effects and spillovers," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 111(C).
    8. Roberto Fazioli & Francesca Pantaleone, 2021. "Macroeconomic Factors Influencing Public Policy Strategies for Blue and Green Hydrogen," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(23), pages 1-18, November.
    9. Roberto Fazioli & Francesca Pantaleone, 2021. "Macroeconomic factors influencing public policy strategies for Blue and Green Hydrogen," Working Papers 20210510, University of Ferrara, Department of Economics.
    10. Maras Marin, 2022. "The spillover effect of European Union funds between the regions of the new European Union members," Croatian Review of Economic, Business and Social Statistics, Sciendo, vol. 8(1), pages 58-72, June.
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