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Quality of Life Indices for Analysing Convergence in the European Union

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  • D. Giannias
  • P. Liargovas
  • G. Manolas

Abstract

GIANNIAS D., LIARGOVAS P. and MANOLAS G. (1999) Quality of life indices for analysing convergence in the European Union, Reg. Studies 33 , 27-35. This paper investigates convergence and tests it empirically across countries of the European Union between 1970 and 1990. Convergence is defined not only in terms of economic indicators, but also in terms of social and quality of life indicators. Real convergence is computed by evaluating a weighted average coefficient of variation based on economic and quality of life variables. The weights are based on an experts' opinion survey. Country rankings, based on the values of a composite quality of life index, are also constructed. The results confirm that real convergence was achieved between 1970-75 for most of the countries. Convergence stagnated between 1980-85 and then it increased. Southern European Member States did not exhibit similar patterns. GIANNIAS D., LIARGOVAS P. et MANOLAS G. (1999) L'analyse de la convergence au sein de l'Union europeenne a partir des indices de la qualite de la vie, Reg. Studies 33 , 27-35. Cet article cherche a examiner la notion de convergence et a l'evaluer empiriquement quant aux pays membres de l'Union europeenne entre 1970 et 1990. La notion de convergence s'exprime non seulement en fonction des clignotants economiques, mais aussi a partir des indices sociales et de la qualite de la vie. On calcule la convergence reelle en evaluant un coefficient de variation de la moyenne ponderee fonde sur des variables economiques et relatives a la qualite de la vie. Les ponderations proviennent d'une enque⁁te des opinions des experts. Les pays sont classes en fonction des valeurs d'une indice composee de la qualite de la vie. Les resultats confirment que la convergence reelle avait ete atteinte entre 1970 et 1975 pour la plupart des pays. La convergence stagnait entre 1980 et 1985 pour redemarrer. Les pays-membres du sud de l'Europe n'ont pas fait preuve des tendances similaires. GIANNIAS D., LIARGOVAS P. und MANOLAS G. (1999) Lebensqualitatsindexe zur Analyse der Konvergenz in der EU, Reg. Studies 33 , 27-35. Dieser Aufsatz untersucht Konvergenz und uberpruft sie empirisch in Landern der ganzen EU fur den Zeitraum 1970-1990. Konvergenz wird nicht nur unter dem Aspekt wirtschaftlicher Indikatoren, sondern auch dem der Lebensqualitat- und Sozialindikatoren definiert. Wirkliche Konvergenz wird duch Bewertung gewichteter durchschnittlicher Koeffizienten der Unterschiede berechnet, die sich wirtschaftlichen und Lebensqualitatsvariablen beruhen. Gewichtung stutzt sich auf Untersuchung von Expertenansichten. Daruberhinaus werden Landerranglisten aufgestellt, die auf Werten eines zusammengesetzten Lebensqualitatsindex beruhen. Die Ergebnisse bestatigen, dass wahre Konvergenz in den meisten Landernim Zeitraum 1970-75 erreicht wurde, im Zeitraum 1980-85 jedoch stagnierte und danach zunahm. Sudeuropaische Mitgliedstaaten weisen keine derartigen Muster auf.

Suggested Citation

  • D. Giannias & P. Liargovas & G. Manolas, 1999. "Quality of Life Indices for Analysing Convergence in the European Union," Regional Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 33(1), pages 27-35.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:regstd:v:33:y:1999:i:1:p:27-35
    DOI: 10.1080/00343409950118896
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    5. Pablo PODADERA RIVERA & Francisco J. CALDERÓN VÁZQUEZ, 2019. "Rethinking the territorial cohesion in the EU: institutional and functional elements of the concept," Eastern Journal of European Studies, Centre for European Studies, Alexandru Ioan Cuza University, vol. 10, pages 41-62, December.
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    7. Joel I. DEICHMANN & Dominique HAUGHTON & Mingfei LI & Heyao WANG, 2022. "Does European Union Membership Result In Quality-Of-Life Convergence?," Regional Science Inquiry, Hellenic Association of Regional Scientists, vol. 0(1), pages 31-46, June.
    8. Don Webber & Paul White, 2003. "Regional Factor Price Convergence Across Four Major European Countries," Regional Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 37(8), pages 773-782.
    9. Salvati, Luca & Zitti, Marco, 2008. "Regional convergence of environmental variables: Empirical evidences from land degradation," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 68(1-2), pages 162-168, December.
    10. Vicente Royuela & Jordi Suriñach, 2005. "Quality of life and urban size," ERSA conference papers ersa05p519, European Regional Science Association.
    11. Stavros RODOKANAKIS, 2003. "The Impact Of The European Structural Policies On The Eu Member States From 1988 To 2000," Region et Developpement, Region et Developpement, LEAD, Universite du Sud - Toulon Var, vol. 17, pages 181-209.
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    14. Brambert Patryk & Kiniorska Iwona, 2018. "Changes in the Standard of Living in Rural Population of Poland in the Period of the Eu Membership," European Countryside, Sciendo, vol. 10(2), pages 263-279, June.
    15. Dionysia Lambiri & Bianca Biagi & Vicente Royuela, 2007. "Quality of Life in the Economic and Urban Economic Literature," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 84(1), pages 1-25, October.
    16. Eckey, Hans-Friedrich & Türck, Matthias, 2005. "Convergence of EU-regions: A literature report," Volkswirtschaftliche Diskussionsbeiträge 80, University of Kassel, Faculty of Economics and Management.
    17. Vicente Royuela & Manuel Artis, 2006. "Convergence analysis in terms of quality of life in the urban systems of the Barcelona province, 1991-2000," Regional Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 40(5), pages 485-492.
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