COMPETITIVENESS AND REGIONAL DISPARITIES IN SLOVAKIA: SELECTED ECONOMIC INDICATORS

Abstract

The transformation of Slovak society since 1989 is reflected in the development of Slovak regions, whether in the economic, political, cultural or social spheres. This change is taking place in each of the Slovak regions in a different way and with a different intensity. Various reforms have been adopted at the national level to help activate development activities in the regions and thus strengthen Slovakia‘s position in a united Europe. The concept of regional development covers the problems of political, economic, social and environmental development of the regions. There are several indicators used to compare the differences between regions, but in this paper, we have focused on economic indicators. Almost all economic indicators, as well as the functioning of the economies of most countries, have been dramatically affected by the still ongoing pandemic COVID-19. The impact of the pandemic on individual indicators is beginning to be quantifiable these days, and the data that give us room to assess the situation and predict future developments are available.