Zbigniew Matkowski

Economic Convergence Between the CEE-8 and the European Union

This paper analyzes the real economic convergence between the new EU entrants in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE-8) and the EU core (EU-12 or EU-15). It includes new estimates on the speed of income-level convergence and new findings about the conformity of cyclical changes. The results offer further evidence of continuous progress in real economic convergence between Central and Eastern Europe and the European Union.

Postsocialist Countries : Macroeconomic Performance, Growth Prospects, and Social Welfare

The article presents a comparative analysis of the current economic situation in twenty-seven postsocialist countries of Europe and Asia, as reflected by the latest available data from various international sources. The ultimate aim is to assess the economic and social effects of transformation toward an open market economy and to elucidate the chances and threats related to further development. Current macroeconomic performance and long-term economic prospects seem to be best in Central Eastern Europe, but quite poor in the least developed countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States and the Balkans. Much of the same applies to the living standards, which have risen in the first subgroup, but rather decreased in the second. Russia, with its huge resources and a strong impact on most neighboring countries, remains the main source of uncertainty.

Transition Countries: Economic Situation and the Progress of Market Reforms

The aim of this study is to assess current economic situation of 28 post-socialist countries in Europe and Asia undergoing systemic transformation towards an open market economy, their macroeconomic policies and the progress of structural reforms. We focus on the situation prevailing in 2008 and the changes against the previous year, though some estimates regarding future prospects are also included. The focus in this analysis is on the impact of the global economic crisis on macroeconomic performance in the countries of the region. We also present the most recent projections of the basic macroeconomic indicators for 2009 and forecasts for 2010 and 2014, assuming a gradual recovery of world economy from the current crisis.