The level and dynamics of socio-economic development of Great Britain regions in 2012-2020

Abstract

PURPOSE: The main aim of this article is to investigate the assessment of the conditions and dynamics of socio-economic development of British regions in the years 2012-2020.

DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: The methods of literature analysis, descriptive statistics and clustering analysis were used.

FINDINGS: The socio-economic development of regions in Great Britain has a polar-island character and did not change significantly in 2012-2020. The leader in development is London, which, together with neighboring regions, dominates economically over other regions. Apart from the London metropolitan area, Cheshire stands out with an aboveaverage pace and level of development. North Eastern Scotland maintains a high, but weakening, economic position. The development of other highly urbanized regions is stagnating. The most difficult situation remains the peripherally located former industrial regions and rural areas. They have suffered the negative economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic to a greater extent than many more highly urbanized regions with a more diversified economy. They are constantly marginalized and lose distance from more developed regions.

PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: Regional inequalities in the UK are high and growing steadily to a level similar to that in Italy.

ORIGINALITY/VALUE: Contributes to the discussion on the spatial differentiation of the level of socio-economic situation in the United Kingdom.