Testování hypotézy konvergence v regionu střední Evropy pomocí kointegrace

Abstract

The issue of regional disparities development is usually examined only in terms of beta- and sigma-convergence. To extend the discussion, therefore, it is needed to use approaches based on completely different principles, which are not burden with always the same methodological limits. In this context, the aim of this contribution is to apply the cointegration approach to assess the development of regional disparities in economic performance and income in Central Europe. On the sample of 62 regions in 2004-2018, this contribution applies the disparity evaluation method based on the Pesaran's probabilistic approach. In particular, we test the convergence hypothesis by KPSS test (null of stationary), and the divergence hypothesis by ADF test (null of unit root). The analysis found the regional convergence in economic performance, but not in income. After extending the analysis to the level of individual countries, internal regional convergence within most of countries was found in both economic performance and income. As part of the disparity evaluation in economic performance, "western" (regions of the Austria, Czechia and Germany) and the "eastern" convergence club (Hungary, Poland and Slovakia) were identified. Similarly, in the case of income analysis some signs of convergence club (Czechia, Hungary and Slovakia) were found.