Authors: Csaba Lakócai, Luigi Capoani,

In: Regional Statistics, Vol. 16. No. 1. 2026

DOI: 10.15196/RS160104  

Abstract

Building upon the traditional concept of the “Blue Banana” as Europe’s economic core area, this study examines the multifaceted impacts and underlying causes of régiónál competitiveness disparities across Europe. In particular, it delves into Central and Eastern Europe (CEE), along with the Mediterranean territories of the European Union (EU), analysing the ongoing economic and urban transformations within these areas while also assessing similar patterns in Western and Northern Europe. Leveraging the Nomenclature of Territorial Units for Statistics 2 (NUTS 2) regional breakdown and data sourced from the EU’s latest regional competitiveness index (RCI) report, this study conducts a comprehensive analysis of spatial concentrations within the EU. The findings suggest that although some regions of the Blue Banana maintain their relative dominance in regional competitiveness, significant recent developments in other European regions indicate that the concept may be losing relevance. In particular, the CEE regions – especially their capital regions – converged toward the standards set by the Blue Banana. The results of the spatial regression model on the RCI in 2022 substantiate the conclusion that the Blue Banana is no longer a significant territorial concentration. Moreover, the results of the spatial regression model on the changes in RCI scores between 2016 and 2022 indicate that the less affluent CEE and Mediterranean regions have greater development potential than the wealthier western and northern egions, further challenging the traditional notion of the Blue Banana.

A Caponi, L., Lakócai Cs.: Spatial dynamics of competitiveness: a comparative analysis of the Blue Banana and emerging EU regions bejegyzés először VGI-én jelent meg.

Author: Csaba Lakócai, Luigi Capoani, Cristoforo Imbesi

In: Scienze Regionali

DOI: 10.14650/118454

ISSN: 1720-3929

Abstract

The following regional science study investigates the ongoing relevance of the Blue Banana and Pentagon models as accurate representations of the European Economic Core Zone. The analysis aims to provide useful insights into the evolution of the European socio-economic landscape through an empirical examination that questions the applicability of these frameworks, given the progressive emergence of a polycentric model accompanied by an eastward shift of European productive activities. Together with an empirical analysis of two measures of regional competitiveness, the paper employs the case studies of the United Kingdom and Northern Italy to examine the changes in the European socio-political and economic landscapes. This study explores the implications of Brexit and its impact on the competitiveness of both the UK and continental Europe by integrating different metrics, including unemployment rates, productivity trends and the circulation of people. Furthermore, the case of Italy enables for a comparison of six socio-economic indicators between Northern-Italy and the regions of the Economic core, in order to reassess the compliance of the area with the criteria defined by the aforementioned models, after the 2008 financial and economic crisis. In light of this analysis, the need to create adaptive regional models in response to the current dynamism created in Europe is emphasised.

A Caponi, L., Lakócai Cs., Imbesi, C.: Transformative Dynamics of European Regional Development. Examining the Blue Banana and the Pentagon in Light of Emerging Epiphenomena and Future Perspectives on the Dorsal Axis bejegyzés először VGI-én jelent meg.