The Regional Effects of European Integration - an Empirical Analysis of Three Enlargement Episodes

Abstract

This paper analyses the effects of three previous enlargements of the European Union on newly joining and old member states. We find that overall the effects of enlargements on regional employment, wage and population growth, as well as investment rates were small. We also find substantial heterogeneity between different accession episodes, stronger effects on wages than on employment and differences in long-term and medium term effects.