Convergence and Divergence of Czech and Slovak NUTS 2 Regions within the European Union in 2010-2021

The main objective of the paper is to assess the temporal and territorial convergence/divergence of the NUTS 2 regions of the EU with a focus on the Czech and Slovak NUTS 2 regions. The study is based on a comparison of NUTS 2 GDP per capita indicators. The source data is based on the Eurostat dataset Regional gross domestic product (PPS per inhabitant in % of the EU27 (from 2020) average) by NUTS 2 regions for the period 2010-2021. In this paper, GDP has been analysed only in terms of absolute or relative amounts, and other factors have not been taken into account. The results of the study demonstrate the heterogeneous development of Czech and Slovak NUTS 2 regions, where the example of Slovak regions shows a long-term gradual internal convergence of NUTS 2 regions, while in relation to other EU countries there is an external divergence, resulting in the second worst position in terms of GDP/cap. In the case of the Czech NUTS 2 regions, internal divergence has been identified, where individual regions are economically "moving away" from each other, unfortunately, the Czech Republic has been stagnating in the long term in relation to other EU countries.