SPATIAL DIFFERENTIATION AND STRUCTURAL CONDITIONS OF THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF SUBREGIONS

Abstract

An analysis of spatial differentiation and structural conditioning of the economic development of subregions in Poland has been performed with the use of CSO data from 2001 and 2002. There have been defined the diversification of three economic indexes: gross domestic product (GDP) per capita, per 1 kilometer, GDP and GVA (gross value added) per 1 employee. Within the five separated subregion groups the sector economy structure (employment structure and gross value added) has been defined with special emphasis on the agricultural sector. In the analysis of subregions development conditioning mathematical statistics elements have been used (correlation analysis). The performed analysis of factors characterizing the economic growth level indicates that there exists a significant diversification within the examined range. The relation of the minimal and maximal indexes characterizing the development level (GDP per capita) in 2002 in the system of 45 subregions is 1:4.9, and productivity (GVA per 1 employee) 1:2.8. The factor determining economic development of subregions is the sector structure of the employed, especially their share in agricultural and nonagricultural activities. In the existing social economic conditioning it is mainly the nonagricultural activity that determines development level of spatial systems including rural areas. However, the activity of the agricultural sector is not a factor which boosts the economic growth; it concerns especially backward regions.