Economic complexity widens gaps between European regions, hindering convergence.
The article examines how different regions in Europe have either grown closer together or further apart economically. By studying data from 191 regions and 55 economic sectors between 2003-2015, the researchers found that regions with lower GDP per capita tended to grow faster, but regions with more complex economies widened the gap with others. Eastern regions with lower GDP per capita and higher economic complexity saw the most improvement in living standards.