Original scientific paper
https://doi.org/10.1080/1331677X.2016.1174387
Were Ukrainian regions too different to start interregional confrontation: economic, social and ecological convergence aspects?
Leonid G. Melnyk
Oleksandr V. Kubatko
Oleksandra V. Kubatko
Abstract
This article deals with analysis of economic, social and ecological
disparities of Ukrainian regions. Regional economic disparities are
measured through the convergence concept and the article employs
panel data analysis with fixed and random effects estimations. Our
empirical results show the presence of economic convergence in
Ukrainian regions. Initially it was found that poor regions do grow
relatively faster than the rich. Moreover, the difference between poor
and rich regions has been decreased 1.8 times during 1999 and 2010.
In addition, it was found that the presence of ecological convergence
in the Ukraine and initially ‘clean’ regions do increase pollution faster than initially ‘dirty’ regions. That is, Ukrainian regions were onverging to some environmental steady state through the process of increasing pollution. Ukrainian regions were also experiencing health onvergence with negative policy implications, since all regions do converge to some health levels through an increase in morbidity. The economic growth of Ukrainian regions was achieved through sacrificing environmental situations and increased morbidity.
Therefore, there were no clear economic reasons to start interregional confrontation that has taken place in the Ukraine, since all regions were on the same track of development.
Keywords
Economic convergence; ecological convergence; health convergence; economic growth; regional development
Hrčak ID:
171745
URI
Publication date:
22.12.2016.
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