摘要：Economic development is a subject that generates much controversy, mainly because of thewidening gaps between poor and rich nations. In the present paper, we intend to identify and explain thedifferences that exist both between and within the European Union states, from an economic development point ofview. In order to reach this objective, we have collected, analysed and interpreted information included in variousstatistical data bases, reports and year books. The results show that the development differences between EUeconomies are not so large, compared to the situation of the rest of the world. However, there are significantdevelopment gaps inside some EU states, especially from the South-East part of Europe and the Baltic countries
关键词：economic development; Human Development Index; living standard; income distribution
