Islands in the European Union

Abstract

This paper discusses European islands' distinctive traits and difficulties, and how they were captured over the years the European Union legislative framework. The paper begins with definitional and classification challenges, noting the lack of a harmonised framework due to island size, population, and government variety. It uses Eurostat typologies to describe the size and distribution of EU islands, which number over 2,200 inhabited areas with over 20 million persons. The paper then examines how insularity and smallness shape island economies and explores how such structural constraints can potential cause market inefficiencies and vulnerability to external shocks. Against this background, the paper examines the evolution of island recognition in EU treaties and policy frameworks and makes an argument for more explicit acknowledgement of islands’ reality in the European Union policies and strategies.