A Comparative Analysis of the Socio-economic Potential of Polish Regions

Socio-economic potential is one of the key determinants of regional development. The aim of the paper was to analyse the socio-economic development of 16 NUTS-2 regions in Poland in three selected years: 2005, 2009 and 2013. To identify the positions of individual regions in the rankings, for comparison purposes, selected methods of multidimensional comparative analysis have been implemented: the method of pattern of development proposed by Hellwig, the method of standardised values and the method of ranks. The variables used in the analysis describe demographic potential, labour market, economic situation of inhabitants and level of economic activity, activity and financial stability of local government and socio-technical potential. The results show high diversity of socio-economic potential among Polish NUTS-2 regions, however the level of social potential does not always correspond to the level of economic development. This is particularly the case of Silesian and the poorest Eastern Poland regions. Positions in rankings of analysed regions showed growing diversity in subsequent years. The only region that in all the analysed years maintained its position was the capital region. The results confirmed significant compatibility of the results obtained using different methods which means that in the analysis of socio-economic potential of Polish regions one of them could be used.