INCOME CONVERGENCE OR THE ILLUSION OF GROWTH? ASSESSING THE STRUCTURAL QUALITY AND INTRA-REGIONAL DISPARITIES IN SLOVAKIA
Konvergencia príjmov alebo ilúzia rastu? Analýza štrukturálnej kvality a vnútroregionálnej nerovnosti na Slovensku
Published: 6.11.2025
https://doi.org/10.24040/aap.2025.22.2.16-29
Abstract: The paper analyzes regional disparities in wage levels among the population of Slovakia, focusing on differences between regions. The aim of the paper is to analyze changes in the level and structure of household income in the regions of the Slovak Republic in the period 2014 - 2024, with particular emphasis on comparing income from work and social transfers. The analysis is based on data from the Statistical Office of the Slovak Republic and Eurostat, employing comparative and descriptive methods. The results indicate that despite overall growth in gross income, significant regional disparities persist. The Bratislava region maintains a dominant position, while the eastern regions, particularly Prešov and Košice, continue to lag behind. The increasing share of social income (to 36,7% in Prešov region) in less developed regions signals a growing and critical dependence of households on state transfers, eroding the primary labor income. The findings confirm that regional differences remain a major barrier to sustainable development and call for targeted policies aimed at promoting income convergence and reducing inequality.
Keywords: disparities, regions, income structure, income inequality
Full text article:
How to cite:
DUĽOVÁ SPIŠÁKOVÁ, E. Income convergence or the illusion of growth? Assessing the structural quality and intra-regional disparities in Slovakia. Acta aerarii publici. Online. vol. 22 (2025), no. 2, pp. 16 – 29. Available from: https://doi.org/10.24040/aap.2025.22.2.16-29 [accessed YYYY-MM-DD].