May de 2005

It is region number 48 of 254 in the European Union of 25 countries

Navarre already appears in position number 48 in the ranking of the 254 European regions in terms of income per capita, according to figures made public by Eurostat, the European Statistics Office. In practice, this means that Navarre is in the top 20% of the richest regions in the European Union according to the latest available figures for 2002. Navarre is the second Spanish region in terms of income per capita, second only to Madrid. After statistical corrections and the incorporation of the ten new members from Eastern Europe, the wealth of Navarre is equivalent to 119.6 against the European average of 100.

However, it should be borne in mind that this level of income contains a large 'statistical effect'. That is, last year, when the European Union consisted of 15 countries, Navarre stood at 106.2% of the EU average. With the incorporation of a large number of countries from the East (Hungary, Poland, Slovenia ...), all of them "poorer" than the 15-member EU, Navarre's income has risen automatically. Following corrections made by the EU a few days ago, Navarre now stands at 119.6% of the European average.

Place in the ranking

The incorporation of the CEE countries last year also extended the number of European regions, which has risen from 211 to 254. Navarre's relative position has certainly improved, this time as a result of the general economic situation. According to the figures for 2001 (published last year), Navarre held position number 51 in the regional ranking of income per capita, but figures for 2002 (published last week) indicate that it has risen to position 48.

The ranking is headed by London (United Kingdom), whose income per capita is equivalent to 315.4% of the European average. Other major European cities or metropolitan regions occupy the rest of the leading places in the regional classification of the EU: Brussels (Belgium) is second with 234.5%, Luxembourg third (212.7%), Hamburg (Germany) in fourth place (187.8%) followed by the Austrian capital, Vienna (172.9%).

On the other hand, in the list of the poorest regions, the last place is held by the Polish region of Luberlskie, at 32% of average European income per capita, followed by four other Polish regions that do not rise above 35%.

Therefore, the income of the richest region (London) is ten times higher than that of the poorest region in Poland.

Bratislava, above the average

Among the European regions with income figures closest to Navarre is, perhaps surprisingly, Bratislava (Slovakia), the city where Volkswagen has its other European plant that manufactures the 'Polo' model in addition to its facility in Landaben, near Pamplona. In each area these plants are the real "heart" of their respective industrial sectors. Bratislava is just above Navarre in the ranking (at number 47) thanks to its spectacular growth in recent years, with income per capita at 119.7% of the European average. There is only one other region from an Eastern European country above Navarre: Prague (Czech Republic), in position 14. Of the other Spanish regions, only Madrid is ranked above Navarre. Madrid holds the 34th position in the list of European regions, with average income per capita at 126.7% of the European average. The nearby Basque Country holds position number 50 behind Navarre, with average income at 117.1% of the European average, followed by the Balearic Islands.