Empirical Insights into Multidimensional Development in European Regions

This doctoral thesis, Empirical Insights into Multidimensional Development in European Regions, examines how development can be more effectively conceptualized, measured, and analyzed in the context of contemporary economic, social, and environmental challenges. Moving beyond solely GDP as the dominant measure of progress, the thesis adopts a multidimensional perspective drawing on the human development paradigm, sustainable development, ecological economics, and regional science. It argues that economic growth alone does not adequately capture well-being, sustainability, equity, or environmental quality, and that development should instead be understood as an interconnected process involving economic, social, environmental, and institutional dimensions. A central contribution is the construction of a regional database covering all EU-27 NUTS2 regions over the period 2010–2019. The database integrates indicators of economic performance, social conditions, environmental impacts, and institutional quality, enabling analysis at a spatial scale that captures substantial within-country differences often overlooked by national-level measures. This regional perspective is particularly relevant to the European Union’s emphasis on place-based development and initiatives such as the European Green Deal and European Pillar of Social Rights. The empirical research comprises four interconnected chapters. Chapter 1 develops a composite indicator of multidimensional regional well-being and identifies substantial spatial disparities and a persistent European core–periphery divide, while also finding evidence of convergence, particularly among Eastern European regions. Chapter 2 examines the relationship between innovation and human development, showing that institutional quality, social inclusion, and territorial characteristics influence how effectively regions convert innovative and economic capacities into improvements in human well-being. Chapter 3 develops a novel measure of multidimensional regional eco-efficiency using Data Envelopment Analysis, combining economic, social, and environmental outcomes and demonstrating substantial regional heterogeneity. It also finds that stronger eco-innovation capabilities are generally associated with higher multidimensional efficiency, although effects depend on regional economic and structural conditions. Chapter 4 develops a regional indicator based on the European Pillar of Social Rights and demonstrates important interdependencies between social progress, environmental quality, economic conditions, and political participation. Across the thesis, spatial dynamics, institutional embeddedness, path dependency, and regional innovation systems are shown to shape divergent development trajectories. Methodologically, the research combines composite indicators, spatial econometrics, stochastic frontier analysis, and Data Envelopment Analysis to provide an integrated framework for studying multidimensional development. Overall, the thesis contributes to the Beyond-GDP agenda by providing new regional evidence, measurement tools, and policy insights. It highlights the importance of multidimensional monitoring and place-based strategies capable of addressing regional differences and supporting more sustainable, inclusive, and human-centered development across Europe.