摘要：In the context of EU enlargement there is no universal model which should offer a uniquesolution for diminishing the disparities in the development of a country. An approach only from the point ofview of economic growth is not enough, so we extend the analysis towards the social development. Consideringthe level of GDP per capita and of HDI registered by EU states during 1995-2012, we test the hypothesis ofreal σ and β-convergence in terms of economic and social development. The estimated results indicate atendency in reducing the divergence in both economic and social degree of development. A relatively strongprocess of real σ-convergence became evident while real β-convergence testing supports the hypothesis amongEU countries, but the results indicate a slower process for HDI convergence compared with GDP per capita
关键词：human development index; economic growth; GDP per capita; EU member states; sigma;convergence; beta convergence
