Poland is the poor relation in Europe
New statistics released by the EU show there is a huge gap between its richest and poorest regions, with Poland bringing up the rear. Lubelskie is ranked as the poorest region in the EU, with Podkarpackie, Warmińsko-Mazurskie, Podlaskie and Świętokrzyskie following close on its heels.
Inner London took the top spot, with a GDP per capita that is 315 percent of the EU average and almost 10 times that of the poorest region. Its nearest rivals are Bruxelles-Capitale in Belgium (234 percent) and the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg (213 percent).
These statistics are compiled using an artificial currency, the purchasing power standard, which helps remove the effect of exchange-rate fluctuations from the equation. The figures are important because they are used as a base to decide which regions qualify for EU cohesion funds. Regions with a GDP below 75 percent of the EU average qualify. Of the 59 regions below this level, 16 are in this country and, as a whole, Poland's GDP per capita was 45.6 percent (9,661) of the EU average (21,172).
Inner London took the top spot, with a GDP per capita that is 315 percent of the EU average and almost 10 times that of the poorest region. Its nearest rivals are Bruxelles-Capitale in Belgium (234 percent) and the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg (213 percent).
These statistics are compiled using an artificial currency, the purchasing power standard, which helps remove the effect of exchange-rate fluctuations from the equation. The figures are important because they are used as a base to decide which regions qualify for EU cohesion funds. Regions with a GDP below 75 percent of the EU average qualify. Of the 59 regions below this level, 16 are in this country and, as a whole, Poland's GDP per capita was 45.6 percent (9,661) of the EU average (21,172).
