In this paper, we provide a new look at convergence in the EU while focusing on development at the regional level between the Great Recession and the recent COVID crisis. We use the log convergence test by Phillips and Sul (2007) to analyze convergence in income level among the European regions. We identified five convergence clubs rather than supporting the overall convergence hypothesis. Furthermore, we investigated the determinants of convergence club membership using logistic regression. Our results confirmed high inequality within the member states and a shifting geographic pattern of the top-performing regions, with the increasing prominence of the manufacturing core in southern Germany and the surrounding areas. We found a positive association between membership in higher clubs, research and patent activities, and specialization in manufacturing. We also confirmed the positive economic performance of capital cities and the main metropolitan areas.

中文翻译：

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欧盟的区域趋同——大衰退和新冠危机之间的增长因素

在本文中，我们对欧盟的融合提供了新的视角，同时重点关注大衰退和最近的新冠危机之间区域层面的发展。我们使用 Phillips 和 Sul (2007) 的对数收敛性检验来分析欧洲地区收入水平的收敛性。我们确定了五个趋同俱乐部，而不是支持整体趋同假设。此外，我们使用逻辑回归研究了趋同俱乐部成员资格的决定因素。我们的结果证实了成员国内部的高度不平等，以及表现最好地区的地理格局正在发生变化，德国南部及周边地区的制造业核心地位日益突出。我们发现高级俱乐部的会员资格、研究和专利活动以及制造专业化之间存在正相关关系。我们还确认了省会城市和主要都市区的积极经济表现。