Considering the European average as a base, how did countries evolve
economically in the past few years?
Measuring the GDP per inhabitant evolution, using 2012 and 2018 numbers
to grasp variations. These EU-27 figures are based on an average set at
100 for both years (Source: Eurostat).
GDP per inhabitant from 2012 to 2018 (positive evolution to average in
blue, negative in red).
As was intended by Brussels & Member States, Eastern Europe has caught
up with Western or Northern Europe, though economic indicators continue
to display significant salary and production gaps between West and East.
Of note, Ireland, Spain and Portugal were also closer to the EU average
in 2018 than they were in 2012. This does not mean that Northern and
Western Europe have declined: their economies have also progressed in
that period, but they have progressed at a lesser rhythm than countries
who appear in blue.