Social Progress in the European Union: A Comparative Analysis at the National and Regional Levels

Sabina Lacmanović and Lela Tijanić ()
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Sabina Lacmanović: Faculty of Economics and Tourism “Dr. Mijo Mirković”, Juraj Dobrila University of Pula, Preradovićeva 1/1, 52100 Pula, Croatia
Lela Tijanić: Faculty of Economics and Tourism “Dr. Mijo Mirković”, Juraj Dobrila University of Pula, Preradovićeva 1/1, 52100 Pula, Croatia

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 4, 1-19

Abstract: Measuring multidimensional social progress in the European Union (EU) is a challenging task but important for addressing strengths and weaknesses in the non-economic dimensions of social development that complement other progress indicators. The aim of this study is to present a review on measuring social progress (including a holistic approach and different levels of observation) and to investigate the differences in social progress within the EU, with an emphasis on the disparities between the regions of old and new EU member states. Descriptive statistics and the Mann–Whitney test were used to summarize and compare the main results, as well as to identify significant differences between the mentioned groups. The best results in social progress are driven by strong performances across various dimensions and components of the European regional Social Progress Index. Regions of the old EU member states perform better, but significant variability is determined in different components and dimensions of social progress across regions in both old and new EU member states. The importance of the opportunity dimension is confirmed in explaining the differences in social progress. Given that new EU member states try to converge with old EU member states, and considering that inclusive growth and social cohesion are among the goals of EU cohesion policy, investigating the factors behind the differences in social progress can provide valuable insights for policymaking and investment decisions.

Keywords: social progress measurement; regions; European Union; opportunity dimension (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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