SOCIAL DIMENSION AND INEQUALITY PROBLEMS IN THE EUROPEAN UNION

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to introduce evaluation of social development convergence between EU-28 member states in the context of the EU cohesion policy. The main tasks of this study is to assess social dimension and inequalities problems in the European states by applying theory of convergence for real estimations social situations in EU countries. Additionally the development challenges are discussed for improvement of the socio-economic well-being of EU states and to avoid social disparities. The research methodology is based on the convergence theory, on the EU strategies, European Commission legitimate documents application, on the calculations and socio-economic forecasts analysis of the welfare level in the EU states. This research present information about various different socio-economic indicators, indexes and scheme of information flows for social situation estimation in the EU states. This study contain changes of key concepts related to the cohesion policy of the European Union and compares objectives and general outlines of period 2014-2020 in the framework of Europe as a whole, as well as its impact on EU member states economics and living conditions. The speed of convergence depends on the initial discrepancy of the development level in the EU states. The efficiency of European convergence policy can also be improved by significant economic growth and by clever choice of the country-specific social activities. This research investigate major information for social situations estimation in EU states as well as GDP growth, population's income level, unemployment and welfare condition indicators. The key results reflect the overall social situation analysis in the EU countries and present current and future's European convergence policy's impact on social development in the European states. The conclusions consist of national social development inequality problems estimations in the EU states and of new challenges of EU convergence and social policy goals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]