Economic growth versus macroeconomic stability of the Central and Eastern Europe countries in 2000–2013

Abstract

The paper goal is analysis economic stability of the Countries of Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) and to analyse the impact financial crisis on the economic stability analyzed countries. The analysis comprises 13 CEE countries including 10 EU member states (Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Bulgaria, Romania and Greece) as well as 3 non-EU states (Belarus, Ukraine and Moldova). The authors examines the economic growth and macroeconomic conditions in Poland and other Central and Eastern Europe countries as compared with the German economy in period 2000– 2013. The incorporation of Germany into the analysis is well-justified as it facilitates comparisons between less developed countries which undergo structural, economic and political changes and the macroeconomic conditions of Germany’s strong economy in a relatively long period of time. The presentation of differences in the basic macroeconomic indicators (GDP rate growth, unemployment rate, rate of inflation, budget balance and current account balance to GDP) is based on “the pentagon of macroeconomic stabilization”, while the effectiveness of the economies of these countries is verified by the indicators of the macroeconomic situation (MSP). Apart from the macroeconomic stability index, sub-indicators are introduced, allowing for the identification of the impact of external factors and conditions on a country’s economic stability.