Real convergence in some Central and Eastern European countries

Abstract

This article examines the real convergence hypothesis in some Central and East European countries (both towards the German and the US economies) by means of using time series techniques during the period 1950-2003. We do not find evidence of real convergence for the whole period. However, when we allow for structural breaks, we find evidence of a catch-up process during the nineties-2003 period for Poland, Czech Republic and Hungary towards Germany and only for Poland towards the US economy.