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HIGH-LEVEL CONFERENCE ON SOUTH EAST EUROPE

Over the past two decades, South East Europe has made significant strides in economic growth and in their journey towards economic convergence with the EU.

Between 2000 and 2022, in the six Western Balkan economies (WB6), the average GDP per capita increased by 79%, rising from around EUR 9 400 to EUR16 800. However, despite these advancements, the GDP per capita in the Western Balkans still lags, standing at slightly over one-third (38%) of the EU and OECD averages. Although this marks an 11-percentage point increase from 2003, when the region stood at only 27% of EU levels, it underscores the considerable ground the region must cover to achieve full economic convergence.

Drawing on the findings of the OECD’s flagship report Western Balkans Competitiveness Outlook 2024, the high-level conference examined policy pathways to boost competitiveness for economic and social wellbeing. This conference aimed to delve deeper into policies that will accelerate SEE’s socio-economic convergence towards the OECD and EU in the support of more resilient, sustainable and prosperous societies.

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Conference documents Agenda Speakers list Presentation of the Data Hub Presentation of the Competitiveness Outlook Photos from the Conference		Key Publications >> Western Balkans Competitiveness Outlook 2024: Regional Profile - Albania - Bosnia and Herzegovina - Kosovo* - Montenegro - North Macedonia - Serbia (all reports are accessible from 26 June) >> Read the concise brochure summarising the key findings from the regional profile >> Economy specific factsheets: Albania - Bosnia and Herzegovina - Kosovo* - Montenegro - North Macedonia - Serbia >> Western Balkans Competitiveness Data Hub (accessible from 26 June) >> Economic Convergence Scoreboard for the Western Balkans 2023 >> SME Policy Index 2022 for the Western Balkans and Türkiye >> Western Balkans Competitiveness Outlook 2021: Albania - Bosnia and Herzegovina - Kosovo* - Montenegro - North Macedonia - Serbia
		GDP per capita convergence of the Western Balkans (GDP per capita (PPP) relative to EU average) Source: World Bank Development Indicators

 

More about the OECD South East Europe Regional Programme 

Since 2000, the OECD South East Europe Regional Programme supports Western Balkan economies in the design and implementation of policies and economic reforms in favour of sustainable and inclusive growth and strengthen integration with the European Union. By promoting OECD standard and tools, the Programme employs in-depth analysis to identify policy challenges, formulate tailored policy advice and foster the exchange of good practices. The Programme builds consensus for economic reforms by facilitating evidence-based, objective dialogue with policymakers, civil society and private sector across the region. This approach has contributed to stronger, more effective policymaking and strengthened regional integration among the Western Balkan economies, enabling them to overcome common challenges, weather external shocks and better prepare for EU accession through collective solutions.

Explore the SEE Regional Programme’s work here.

 

If you have questions or need assistance, please contact us at see.conference@oecd.org

 

In cooperation with:

        

 * This designation is without prejudice to positions on status, and is in line with United Nations Security Council Resolution 1244/99 and the Advisory Opinion of the International Court of Justice on Kosovo’s declaration of independence.”