20 years after EU's Eastern Enlargement: was it an economic success?

In 2004, the EU made its boldest foreign policy move to date. The bloc took in 10 new member countries, many of them were former Soviet states. A critical step to unifying Europe, it was an economic gamble. We asked economist Zuzana Zavarska at the Vienna Institute for International Economic Studies (wiiw) if it paid off.
#EU #EastBloc #Enlargement
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[@margottomasik2108]

I travel to Poland quite often and I am just amazed with unbelievable transformation of Poland. 👏👏👏

[@tomasbudra]

True! Poland is an example of what the effect of EU support should be

[@wiktorjanicki3993]

As a Pole, I just came back from Vacation in Spain and Italy. I didn't realize how advanced, modern and clean my country is, comparing to some "old" EU countries. We made a really huge progress during last 20 years.

[@meshuga27]

@theoxionis8310 that’s just common sense (a Pole here). As a good example, Internet in Germany is much worse than in Poland, along with general application of technology advances in public space. The differences are diminishing, so in some areas the Eastern part is better, in some other areas more work is needed.

[@defendfreedom1390]

Poland (and the rest of the Central and Eastern Europe) would have grown without joining the EU and much faster, like Asian countries, as long as there is no war. This is a catch up which happens everywhere when Socialism is phased out.

[@Blanka1100]

@@defendfreedom1390 No. It would not. Look at Baltic States and Ukraine for example. Both were soviet republics,they were parts of USSR. Look how does a country look like when it is left alone next to Russia and without EU and Nato support.

[@RandyLahey420-tm3mv]

I was born in Poland before we joined EU, in 1991. Joining the union was a game changer for people like me. I never had any problem with finding a job, taking a loan or travelling (which was always difficult for Poles before 2004). EU is not perfect but is for sure a strong driver of our economic growth. Glad to be part of EU

[@ABC-ABC1234]

You mean the BILLIONS of dollars Europe invested in your economy and relocating heavy industry to your country brought prosperity? Let's not just pretend like acces to the single market is the reason why you guys are doing economically well, it also came at a very hefty price tag and insane amounts of labour migration towards UK/ BELGIUM/ GERMANY/ NETHERLANDS...

[@panfu4944]

@@ABC-ABC1234 Someone's jealous.

[@ABC-ABC1234]

@@panfu4944 I am acutally not. I am just pointing out EU invested MASSIVELY in Poland so that progress didn't spring up overnight btw or Poland had such a succesful governance. Many Western European countries invested massively to get Poland where it is, whereas also relaxing labour movement for Poland allowing them to send home remittance to massively boost the Polish domestic economy while they were working in UK/ Germany/Netherlands/Belgium predominantly

[@tomasz711]

​@@ABC-ABC1234you are partially correct. Do not forget however couple of other facts. Labour force from new member states took (especially in the first year after accession) jobs that you guys in NL, D, etc did not want to take. Exactly the same process is here, right now eg. In PL when immigrants from UA, Middle East or India work as blue collars. EU enlargement provided also big market for WE companies. As stronger, better capitalized they were able to purchase local companies which increased their profits and scale of operations. Net I Think it was profitable for whole Europe. I'm glad we can leave in peaceful continent without border controls. Also in face of russian aggression it's better to be united - only this way we can stop Putler go go further west. Regards from PL.

[@Blanka1100]

@@ABC-ABC1234 Poles did work hard and they took all those low paid jobs Western Europeans did not want to. EU was not a Stanta Claus who gave Poland everything for free. Western Europe's gdp grew as well thanks to free market and hard working Poles. It works both ways.

[@BaumerPaulGefreiter]

I think it was both an economic and an environmental success. Air and water were incredibly polluted here in Czechia before EU laws and EU financial help stepped in.

[@_ata_3]

Glad to hear. Czechia is such a beautiful country!

[@Funglutton]

One thing they didn't really cover in this feature is how growth in the Western EU bloc has slowed. It would be useful to consider that certain countries have really slowed and will be bringing the average down. Life in the UK has undoubtedly worsened over this period unless you are in the top 1% in respect to earning or wealth. I'm considering a move to Prague from London because life is much more pro-social and my profession is, relative to living costs, more highly paid there. Regarding the country group in question, it may be useful to measure their performance against a global average to evaluate their growth rate in the wider context.

[@Djamonja]

@@Funglutton The UK is not in the EU.

[@Funglutton]

@@Djamonja haha fair point yes. I'm mixing up stats from G7 and the Western EU bloc.

[@Funglutton]

Incidentally, upon further inspection Lithuania's GDP growth is mostly down to their population decreasing by 20% in the period of study.

[@Blanka1100]

Poland was poorer than Ukraine back in 1991 and look where they are now.

[@elcasho]

poland ball stronk

[@jandlouhy6914]

And this is the problem for some .

[@defendfreedom1390]

Poland introduced extreme market reforms in Dec 1988 and had grown faster before joining the EU.

[@Blanka1100]

@@defendfreedom1390 Poland's gdp has grown amazing since 2004

[@bdr404]

​@@defendfreedom1390leave EU then

[@ricardomadleno564]

As a Western European I’m truly happy for the Eastern Europeans I want to travel through the shown Europe and see wealth and a healthy rich environment everywhere more and more I see myself as European and not just my country nationality.

[@eliotness4029]

better to be eu puppet. they have more money

[@enigmaticzigfried7557]

​@@eliotness4029troll

[@qeitkas594]

The rise of Eastern Europe is the most not talked about miracle of the last 30 years. It topped GDP growth of so called emerging economies. I absolutely welcome with great optimism this shift of power to the east. Brexit Britain is really not missed if on the other side of Europe, the EU strengthens much more. Eastern European countries are in general hardworking and smart people and will lift Europe as a whole.

[@defendfreedom1390]

It's not EU's contribution.

[@eliotness4029]

better to be eu puppet. they have more money

[@defendfreedom1390]

@@eliotness4029 They have more money from you.

[@eliotness4029]

@@defendfreedom1390 why me? who am I?

[@piotrusmail4]

​@@eliotness4029Exactly! Who are you? Your comment (the same content) appears in many places under this video...

[@Jack-ul8nn]

The EU has been one of the greatest successes in european history

[@JG-xi4tu]

Indeed

[@defendfreedom1390]

Then compare EU's GDP to the US one or to the Asian GDP over the last 60 years. From the US or Asian perspective EU is becoming big nothing.

[@JG-xi4tu]

@@defendfreedom1390 Ah yes. Everyone knlws it. Three newly built hospitals are completely useless when someone else around the globe has built 5🤦🏻‍♂️ Appart from that, european growth was very good the last 60 years lol. I mean there was literally a period in my counrry called the "economic miracle"😄

[@Jack-ul8nn]

@@defendfreedom1390lol stay mad

[@robertskrj6555]

True. And also downfall of nations, becose of insane illegal imigration etc.

[@syednajamulsaqib7664]

One of the main successes of EU is that it reduced inter-state wars to almost zero level in Europe.

[@saba1030]

Wars within EU member states ARE NILL/ZERO !!

[@Perun944]

That was NATO. Comments like the above make me facepalm so hard.

[@saba1030]

@@Perun944 NO. Serbia was the agressor, but at that time none of those countries were EU member states...btw, Serbia isn't EU member until these days...

[@petr1079]

​@@Perun944 It was both. NATO would never took these nations so close together. Not to speak about economic success which is also good basement for the peace.

[@Perun944]

@@saba1030 Nobody spoke about Serbia. No single EU power kept peace in Europe other than the Allies in NATO.

[@JH-pv6rd]

❤❤❤ From Lithuania 🎉❤❤❤

[@ashkanshekarchi7753]

What’s and where is Lithuania? Those temporary tiny provinces with vanishing population?

[@pole040]

@@ashkanshekarchi7753 Yea where people like you run here to be our taxi drivers :P

[@tyhaas3w]

​@@ashkanshekarchi7753 depending on map zoom rate, Liithuania with proper zoom is huge and resembles Africa with shape. They can be proud of living standards too. You need do more work with your imagination and brain condition. Otherwise your offence try will be still so miserable.

[@ashkanshekarchi7753]

@@pole040 You cannot even hold your youth to stay there! This is also part of your genius statecraft, exporting brain and importing mediocre muscle, indicating how your province-turned-“country” will be in foreseeable future.

[@ashkanshekarchi7753]

@@tyhaas3w Hundreds of cities the world over are more populated than all three rapidly-depopulating Baltic provinces. Instead of shining the balls of those temporary countries, go read history and learn how such myopic “nation-states” come and done at the drop of hat and at the whim of great powers.

[@eksiarvamus]

Occupied by the Soviet Union, not part of it...

[@drixcel2741]

Occupied and therefore part of it :(

[@HOPEfullBoi01]

Yeah yeah you don't have to like it but you need to stop lying. Different phrasing doesn't change reality.

[@eksiarvamus]

@@HOPEfullBoi01 The reality is that these states were illegally occupied by the Soviet Union and therefore legally NOT part of it.

[@Blanka1100]

@@HOPEfullBoi01 There was a difference between soviet republic and soviet satelite state. Western Euroepan ignorants still mix these two things.

[@HOPEfullBoi01]

@@Blanka1100 They said 'some of'. The Baltics were indeed part of it. Where's the incorrection?

[@JakWilk]

Life standard in Poland is similar to Spain right now. Unbelievable success in comparison of misery of 90s I remember very well…

[@stekon9112]

Is it? Barcelona has 7 metro lines, Warsaw has 2, maybe in 2050 Wil have 4-5.

[@TurinStark5]

@@stekon9112 since when are metro lines a measurement of success...?

[@honeybee3684]

​@@stekon9112 Aparte del número de las líneas del metro el nivel de la vida es muy parecido (he vivido en ambos países)

[@TeloMovies]

@@stekon9112 Spain has different cincumstances which made it rely more on trains. Due to in huge part their lobsided urban density in city certain city centers and not much anywhere else

[@lawrencefalk8714]

Some of these countries would have been massively more corrupt if not in the EU and rule of law helps business considerably.

[@dyawr]

True

[@KonsaiAsTai]

The EU was, is, and always will be corrupt by itself.

[@defendfreedom1390]

EU corruption is gigantic. Just check how many commissioners are ex-lobbists.

[@Duck1985]

No Ruski bots here yet? They will say its better to be part of Russia... NOPE!

[@lordwiadro83]

It's May 1st today, a public holiday in Russia too. The bots will come back tomorrow, you will see.

[@Blanka1100]

Most Russians have no clue what is the dfference between EU and Nato.

[@eliotness4029]

better to be eu puppet. they have more money

[@eliotness4029]

better to be eu puppet. they have more money

[@AlexK-wo3xi]

I see you don't like people having different opinins? I guess you're the authoritarian here 😂

[@unitedstatesoffugu]

The EU's enlargement of 2004 was such a beautiful thing to happen. Europe as a continent spreads far from East to West, so including so many Eastern European Nations at once unified our continent massively. When im traveling the continent, I feel at home in so many different places, whether it's Vilnius, Warsaw or Valletta, Bratislava, Bukarest or Burgas. Yes, I am a huge fan of the EU... It's a genius institution for a rather small region on Earth with even smaller Nations hanging out there together. 🇪🇺

[@zhihonghwang3100]

EU is a great achivement of the whole human species, which demonstrates that we could set aside all hatry, prejudice, and use tolerance and ration to unite.

[@definitlynotbenlente7671]

Unfortunately things seem to be goeing back to how they used to be

[@JG-xi4tu]

Yes. Enemies for centuries and now standing side by side. The EU is an example for the world.

[@defendfreedom1390]

@@JG-xi4tu Then compare EU's GDP to the US one or to the Asian GDP over the last 60 years. From the US or Asian perspective EU is becoming big nothing.

[@JG-xi4tu]

@@defendfreedom1390 You have the answer to that same ridiculous claim in the other comment section I answered you🤦🏻‍♂️

[@gazeuze]

Spot on!

[@moritzvilnius]

I'm Swiss living between Vilnius, London and Basel and it is crazy how Lithuania changed during last 10 years! wow!

[@ayoCC]

with unanimous agreement and bringing europe onto the world stage. peace and cooperation, prosperity, moving together in a common direction

[@Exodius3]

I think i just became an european patriot

[@mikerepairsstuff]

Positive sum game;great message. Great video.

[@ayoCC]

Creating more win-win situations indeed. Everyone forgets... EU agreements are always unanimous

[@papi8659]

UK insisted they be let in, then the UK had a hissy fit and left. Silly Brits

[@definitlynotbenlente7671]

And now they want back in

[@drunkensailor112]

And now they are going backwards in gdp

[@ivandansigmun3891]

we should have left 25 years ago and saved the country

[@defendfreedom1390]

They made a smart decision. Now they should revoke EU laws.

[@piotrusmail4]

Without those "silly Brits" Germany and France are too strong in the EU.

[@putinhuylo5404]

The EU should attract new members and expand the potential of the internal market, not sell its products in other markets that the EU does not control. Ukraine itself will be a great addition to the EU internal market

[@vladnickul]

in ten years, after the war is ended.

[@Misterlikeseverythin]

The farmer protests were about taking in cheaper Ukrainian produce because they didn't have to comply with EU regulation. If they are in the EU, there is no problem.

[@lubobys7139]

very smart Slovakian lady

[@jaroslavzalesak1447]

In Vienna!

[@noodleppoodle]

@@jaroslavzalesak1447 50km from Bratislava...

[@aga-ja6855]

EU is the best thing that happened to my country Poland, in centuries🙂 Luckily I don’t remember the ruskies occupation zone times but I remember a bit 90s and beginning of 2000s, Poland is a different country now then it used be. Not so much different than more developed Western neighbours. Eternally grateful for that:) and all the best to all countries that joined EU after 1989, and to those that are candidates!

[@erjusik]

As a Latvian so glad to be part of the EU 🇱🇻

[@Loostyc]

GDP has grown alright but real wages are seriously lagging.

[@Just_another_Euro_dude]

GDP is lagging too. But both GDP and salaries are growing in the ex communist Europe.

[@dziugaslapienis3752]

A great report. However, as a news Anchor, it is part of your duty to learn to pronounce the names of countries you cover. ESPECIALLY when said country - Czechia, is a NEIGHBOURING country of Germany where you are based.

[@PavelQuiteGood]

Thank you, Zuzana Zavarska. 👍 Very insightful answers to complex questions.

[@Gosudar]

You should really learn how to pronounce "Czechia" and start using it. Drop "the Czech Republic" already. The country is going to compete as Czechia at the Olympics this summer, maybe it's time to update your stylebook.

[@LeszekDeska]

Great to be part of EU! I was born here in Poland in '76 so I remember how it was in 80s - it was problematic to buy basic products even. Now I'm waiting to collect next week brand new 5 series... what a long journey we came, I'm feeling both proud and happy how it evolved. And I hope that it will not stop - that we'll welcome next countries like Ukraine in EU (yes, that will be a challenge for everyone on both sides but it's worth it - to export stability, economy well-being and peace). People often forget that first idea to create EU was to control production of steel and coal (which was a way to control arms) - to make sure we have peace in Europe. And it worked - no more wars inside EU since 1945, first time in history we have such long period of peace. The only problem is that we still have a country that invades neighoursand we have to stand up to that challenge, but that's bit different story.

[@adrianhykel]

The anchor could've learned to pronounce Czechia..

[@BenjaminVestergaard]

Considering that the EU economy was overheating at the time they entered, it was genius. Instead of having a bubble to burst, the inclusion cooled down the economy just enough to keep both profits and growth. Had it not been for questionable banking the 2008 financial crisis would not have existed. Edit: letting in poorer countries while the union is fighting inflation is a good move. It keeps prices at bay, while those countries are lifted up, simply by being able to provide lower costs in production. But, of course, they will experience a sudden rise on prices, as demand from the richer members squeeze it up.

[@Tomek4917]

Jako Polak podziwiam Czechów, którzy jeszcze przed przystąpieniem do UE w 2004 roku osiągnęli poziom życia na poziomie 80% średniej unijnej, co świadczy o tym, jak bardzo byli rozwinięci gospodarczo na tle Europy środkowej. Ponadto życzę wszystkim Krajom obchodzącym 20 rocznicę przystąpienia do UE wielu sukcesów gospodarczych i szczęścia

[@JakWilk]

Z perspektywy Czecha ostatnie 20 lat w UE może być odebrane ambiwalentnie… Z jednej strony wzrost poziomu życia, z drugiej polskie PKB zmieniło się o 100%, czeskie o 50%…

[@Blanka1100]

Małym krajom jest łatwiej. Polska jest większa niż pozostałe 9 nowych krajów UE razem wziętych. W Warszawie mieszka więcej ludzi niż na takiej Łotwie i tyle co w całej Słowenii.

[@Prometheus101]

@@JakWilk In fact, the richer a country is, the slower it grows. The poorest always grows the fastest. When it reaches a certain point, its growth will also slow down.

[@JakWilk]

@@Prometheus101 Ireland disagree 🤷‍♂️

[@Prometheus101]

@@JakWilk Ireland may not agree, Ireland was not poor 20 years ago and cannot compare like that

[@YordanGeorgiev]

I have driven trough those countries e2e several years. The development has been rapid and VISIBLE - new roads , new malls all , cars have changed.

[@JORDIIMusic]

Considering all of this, I don't understand why the Eurosceptic parties are so popular in countries like Hungary, Poland and Slovakia. Why elect a government that will jeopardise the relationship with the Western European countries???

[@Blanka1100]

In Poland it was about social benefits and lower retirement age, number of things like that. Poles are pro EU and chose Eurosceptc govenment at one point. Poland is a land of paradox. Besides for many years all those Eastern European ctizent did not feel welcome and were not treated the same way. It was about "We will give you your dignity back"

[@joannakucharska2586]

Because they feel their countries are being marginalised in EU. Also, they belive that European Commission is not a democratic and accountable institution. Having said that, despite it's aggresive rhetoric, Law and Justice Party in Poland has never wanted to leave EU. There is only one party pro-leave in Poland and they had 7% in last year's election.

[@peternagy3942]

You are wrong. In Hungary ppl know everything, we do respect western countries, its just our government that sucks and we cannot do anything against... they keep cheating on elections its like Putins Russia, theres no way to remove Orban from his throne.

[@ideeyes4054]

Well the EU sceptic politicians often bring up only negatives about EU, whether true, miunderstood or just lies. If people think that EU is bad for them they will not like it. Information and confirmation bias can get people to support pretty much anything.

[@PKowalski2009]

As a Pole: PiS did not present itself as eurosceptic in Poland, except for a few howlers. The EU was hostile to it insofar as it opposed the seizure of authoritarian power. This did not always appear. As I understand it, the example of Slovakia and Smer is the same. In Poland, we have an important party called Konfederacja.... But Konfa also, in order to grow its support, hides its Eurosceptic face. The problem with the popularity of the Konfederacja, or the acquiescence to the alt-right turn of PiS and the shallowness of support for the EU seems to me to be based in distrust of the state as an inheritance from communism and the difficult years of transition. It is easy to tell Poles that the state (or the EU) is doing something wrong: it is totalitarian, eavesdropping, manipulating, stealing.... To say it is doing something right -- you will be accused of naivete.

[@MrJonezy541]

As a Brit this can only be a good thing for Europe as a whole, richer countries in the East means richer trading partners for the rest of the continent, plus it's just good for the people who live there 😁

[@PradedaCech]

those who live there, too!

[@ammaralsalama3692]

I hope next step for [ Montenegro, Iceland, North Macedonia , Albania, Moldova, Georgia, Armenia and ofcourse Ukraine, ]

[@PavelQuiteGood]

I hope it will be a careful and thought out approach. If you look at the economic side of things, Turkey makes the most sense to add.

[@johnvif]

Turkey is a bee nest. Should not be touched. The cultural differences are far to great to unify into EU. Socially speaking they are still lagging, need investment inside out, not outside in. Almost as crazy as inviting Russia to join, even if 5 years ago. Economics yes, almost everything else no. Negative sum.

[@diktrejsi8214]

Serbia too

[@naskutak]

​@@diktrejsi8214no, but Thank You. We like to stay to open to whole world.

[@Just_another_Euro_dude]

​@@PavelQuiteGoodTurkey? With a crazy inflation and with a literally smallest salary among all those EU candidate countries.

[@polnegri8884]

Thank you for being objective. It is also worth to mention that BDP is not PPP and that east-european countries were recovering from collapse of communism and also war (like Croatia) and that by accepting new members which are poorer the collective GDP per capita of EU actually decreased. Ukraine is considered one of the poorest countries in Europe, but just by looking their cities, people or cars that they are driving, the calculations seem to be totaly wrong.

[@ipsonuser]

Thank God Poland joined exactly when I left. I would have left anyways but I'm sure it helped me to be treated differently on arrival 😂 Economy has surely improved but at what social cost. .. Hungary and Poland are holding up well I would have thought. I wish them all the best🎉

[@alingard1]

GDP is not a measure of success. If you want 100 and bread costs 1, then you earn 200 but bread costs 5 you are worse off despite gdp being double. Everywhere you see GDP as the barometer of a country's success. How many citizens can now afford the 2 for bread. Is this higher or lower? In actual fact in a lot of European countries both old and new additions the costs are much higher. But, they're all successful!! It's bad journalism that allows this constant use of misleading stats.

[@petrsebik]

Ok but if you look at GDP per capita adjusted for purchasing power, then the eastern european countries are even closer to the EU average then in a graph without adjustment for purchasing power.

[@dariuszflorczak6391]

IMHO Visegrad group countries are closer to the heart of the EU - (mainly Germany) economically, culturally, and obviously geographically than many people think. Especially closer than some of our Iberian Peninsula friends. Have a great day!

[@petr1079]

I am from the Czech Republic and I know what are you talking about. You are absolutely right. Tragical history of 20th century divided us. It's a big shame.

[@3dfxvoodoocards6]

@@petr1079and Russia would love to occupy Eastern-Europe again. Putin even demanded that NATO should leave Eastern-Europe, so he and Russia can occupy it again of course just like in 1939/1940 and 1945-1990.

[@santostv.]

Iberian peninsula is only my country Portugal and Spain , culturally,economically you are nothing like them, although Poland has a chance to become another power of the eu

[@Just_another_Euro_dude]

​@@santostv. Slovenia, Czechia, Estonia, Lithuania destroy the Portugal in GDP per capita now and also they all got much higher average salary than Portugal now. Hopefully you know this, as it's available on Wikipedia and everywhere else? Slovenia and Czechia and Estonia are even on the same level with Spain now by some parametres.

[@santostv.]

@@Just_another_Euro_dude Destroy is a bit much I think but you are correct the my are higher otherever only slovenia has the same minimum wage has us, also besides czechia most have small population. By most metric you align more with us and not Western Europe but maybe I’m wrong , there’s even a meme of Portugal belonging to Eastern Europe. Minimum wage is 820x14 months, nowadays companies that don’t offer lunch need to pay for it usually a debit card you can only use in supermarkets but can be in cash 6€ per day. Average wage is 1500€, ~60% of the population earns 1000€ or less,we are the fifth country with lower salaries in the eu,highest percentage of business owners with only the 4th or 6th class. Everyone knows most of our problems but unfortunately there’s no real political will to solve them and political parties don’t like to colaborate with each other, we have a aging population that prevents meaningful change and have outdated ideas and nowadays we also need to add the importation of usa ideologies and problems into our country that are bleeding from the internet into real life.

[@Ajgormy]

As a slovak I am very happy, that we are part of EU and Nato.

[@jakubsalvet3246]

Without NATO we would be a part of Russia soon.

[@Newbyte]

No matter whether it affected us "richer" members negative or positively (but I definitely feel it is more so the latter than the former) I'm happy for the prosperity of Eastern Europe.

[@engmsaif1]

Excellent guest!

[@janpetersen7440]

Actually a good video. 👍

[@sanny27]

Ms. Zavarska's reasoning is very clear and convincing.

[@henriikkak2091]

I tend to think so but that's because my closest neighbors are Estonia and the Baltic countries

[@polnegri8884]

When communism collapsed in the early 1990’s and Croatia was moving to the west we saw 3x increase in prices just by gradual adjustment with the west. The wages were rising too, but slower. In 1994. the new currency “kuna” was introduced which was coupled with Deutsch marks (later euro), to prevent hyperinflation which was a big problem in Yugoslavia and early Croatia.

[@RoboticDragon]

In short, the answer is yes.

[@defendfreedom1390]

No. This is a catch up which happens everywhere when Socialism is phased out. Asian countries have grown faster without the EU.

[@AbdlrasolAlzorqany]

Marie Sina was prepared and lively more than the guest

[@prohacker5086]

1:43 Chechnia? I don't remember having them in the EU🤔

[@drixcel2741]

It's NOT just because joining the single market and "labor cost differentials". It's ALSO and MUCH more importantly: individual freedom, property rights, right of free association, right to profit, free travel, etc., or what is know in it's conceptual form as Capitalism. Please stop watering down the values and virtues that make us successful! It's almost like there's shame in admitting them, which is irrational at best and a sign of terrible moral bankruptcy at worst. Either that or it's assuming that these things are irrelevant to "macroeconomics", which is a detached from reality rationalist analysis.

[@polnegri8884]

When Ukranian delegations visit Croatia, they consider us like an example for them, but most of the people in Croatia are very disappointed with the standard of living and about 500.000 people have left the country just in the last 10 years since we’ve joined EU. Of course, there are some people here that live better and drive better cars than in really rich countries, but this is minority. Also, the development is heavily relying on EU projects which are not always suitable for that, because the projects by their nature are limited in their scope and in time, are calculating lower wages and sometimes more or large part of money is spent on some visibility issues, cocktails, meetings, etc. than are not the core issues, adding to that a problem of complexity to even receive such funds, again diverting large part of that money to the consultant or marketing firms.

[@Nick-vb5su]

Croatia joined the eu on 2013 not 2004.get your figures right.

[@justkal5644]

Not just success also a miracle

[@defendfreedom1390]

Nope! This is a catch up which happens everywhere when Socialism is phased out. Actually Asian countries which ended command economy have grown faster.

[@mistrcs]

Czechia ≠ Chechnya

[@santamariamarvy]

This format of rapid fire question interviews does not fit these kinds of topic where context really matters. I get that the interviewer is just working with what she had but so to is the interviewee, you can definitely see her trying to condense her thoughts as she goes in orde to meet the constraints of this formats. I would rather invite them on an indepth talk for a special perhaps. If that takes an hour then so be it. Formats like this can be easily misconstrued depending on where you lean the same way brexit was weaponized by Farage as EU = Bad, Freedom = Good. I hope the DW team sees this feedback

[@nonick969]

"We will work a day less per week and earn like we worked a day more" politician said... what a mess here. Thx europe, from italy

[@mutkaluikkunen3926]

Some countries did better than other. Estonia was probably one of the best performers, but still, after so many years, all of these countries are still net beneficiaries in the EU, i.e., they're still leeching, not contributing. One major thing leading to the rise of living standards in these countries was without a doubt all the EU money pumped in there, sometimes into totally silly projects like building a strip of road in the middle of nowhere. The countries lined up for next enlargement are even worse off now. I think we need to rise the acceptance standards a bit more and require faster shift from net beneficiary to a net contributor. EU doesn't need more dead weight.

[@santostv.]

They provide brains and they get money in exchange and everyone better off it although I agree in been harder on corruption. Are you finish?

[@markdickson3820]

A lot of puffy words without saying much, that said, it is undeniable that the eu has been a net positive for the countries that joined twenty years ago and it remains incredibly popular. I do wish dw did less pro eu puff pieces though, the eu like any government, has to be able to withstand critical objective analysis otherwise it’s not worth having. It’s as if the state funded ‘news’ by eu countries are scared to poke too hard at the eu for fear of doing harm, but I think that’s misplaced. The eu is able to withstand normal aggressive questioning by news, and it’s an important part of democracy for news to hold gov’t to account and the eu has grown into a very integral part of every eu countries government now.

[@_ata_3]

Aggressive is not the same as critical. Aggressiveness doesn't help communication and understanding.

[@KonsaiAsTai]

State funded media being (more than superficially) critical of the state or the EU? Wake me up whenever that happens.

[@defendfreedom1390]

No, it wasn't net positive. Asian countries have grown faster without EU. Western economies don't allow Eastern Europe to grow its own Samsungs...

[@markudre752]

Yes, it was.

[@Zendeni-INT]

she did so good on her ridiculous questions

[@groslait7814]

The promises are true but not in their own countries 😂

[@podmizje]

i dont thik this graph is correct 1:44 (she also totaly misspronouced czechia and slovenia)

[@3dfxvoodoocards6]

What is not correct in the graph?

[@dyawr]

It's not correct in the sense that they didn't mention it represents the GDP/capita *adjusted by purchasing power* (PPP), instead of the simple currency conversion to euro. Otherwise it's correct acc to Eurostat.

[@stekon9112]

Lithuania better then Poland, or Croatia? Dont think So.

[@podmizje]

@@dyawr no thats not it. if it'd be nominal slovenia would be way ahead. It is PPP but its just not correct

[@dyawr]

@@podmizje Why is it not correct, concretely? What stands out as wrong for you?

[@Action-kh7fm]

Yes. Indeed.

[@michaelroth2783]

Now they too, C A N N O T pay the rents anymore

[@martinskesteris8664]

Yes, long live the European Union! Baltics are Northern Europe. And they live much better now. There are still lots of soviet zombies, who love ruzzia but do not move away from Europe.

[@butterflies655]

They are Northern Europe, but they are not Nordic countries. They are not members of the Nordic council.

[@StraniSimo]

“Tschetschia” hah

The countries aren't important, the people are

[@kevink7529]

Is this channel foreign funded? Its so anti EU, and I've never seen them talk about things rhat would be good for EU or Germany.

[@Just_another_Euro_dude]

This is American funded channel based in Germany. It promotes the interests of the USA and there's almost never a mention of any big thing, especially some big success regarding the EU.

[@martinmichaelmonz2717]

You should use the short name of the Czech Republic (Czechia).

[@thomasnox2934]

No

[@simorx580]

Yes, it was success but please, take better care of ours politics. Dont look away. Help us :D

[@tonyraveins]

I want Ukraine to be part of EU We have such a huge potential, but this war and corruption are cancer of our country Such a shame that largest Europe country is also the poorest one...

[@A190xx]

This article misses 2 important factors: 1. It focuses on whether enlargement has been an economic success, but only asks this of the Eastern entrants. For the existing members, enlargement for some business areas has been a failure with rising youth unemployment and the loss of some industry to the East due to low labour costs. 2. Over the last 30 years, the EU's share of world traed has reduced from 20% to 12% and continues to fall, as its protectionist policies are seeing fail to compete with the developing economies.

[@Koutsopolulos]

This is one of my favorite channel Thanks for breaking it down!! I'm glad I can still smile, I'm really happy for today☺️. I finally got my profit of $70,000 on this crypto investment after feeling so escatic and heavy minded that nothing good can come out of it

[@henryjeffrey7467]

Same here, I believe the Bitcoin ETFs will be life changing opportunities, with my current 7 figures portfolio made from my investments with my personal financial advisor, totally agree with you

[@miacharlotte8563]

Wow, you actually know Bridget

[@miacharlotte8563]

The very first time we tried, we invested $1000, and after a week, we received $6,500. That really helped us a lot to pay up our bills.

[@albertdezwart2968]

Great info! Please can I start up with $2000?

[@adrianharwood6855]

oh yes, you can cause I think the minimum amount you can start with is $1000, but reach out to her and ask for directions

[@Pidalin]

It's not really success, before WWII, we were part of the most advanced and developed countries in the world. Communism was here only for 40 years, it's gone for 34 years and we still have 1/3 of western salaries and everything is more expensive here and we have the worst housing crisis ever. I am not saying it's fail of EU, don't take me wrong, but we were supposed to be on much better level 34 years after fall of communism, our governments in last decades were completely useless corrupt mafians who just stole everything and it's getting better very slowly. I know it will sound pretty bad, but we have to wait until they all die and only then we can finally start working, it's not possible to change something with that generation of 90s mafia politics who are old now, but still have power. It's already changing, in cities where new young politicians and parties are beying elected, things are moving and what was impossible for decades is now possible. Unfortunately, big politics is still occupied by those dinosaurs and oligarchs. 10% for Pirates and such parties are not enough to change it and I don't even really trust them anymore, they also had a lot of promisses and did nothing in reality. Our today "success" is more like not success of some other countries, expecially in southern Europe. We are not better, they just got worse, that's not literally a win for us.

[@JosephSolisAlcaydeAlberici]

The EU should pursue further structural reforms toward federalization like putting up common fiscal policy, immigration law, language, legal system, and military.

[@miguelmelchior986]

No.

[@serebii666]

@@miguelmelchior986 Yes

[@jakeroper1096]

That is the direction things are slowly going. Putin is only speeding it up

[@Khar-oche]

Federal EU will be the greatest super power ever!

[@blue_engineer_hd682]

I wouldn't go that far, but it is extremely influential with a GDP of €14.5 trillion. A big problem is that the EU has barely any natural resources compared to other great powers like the USA and China.

[@bogdanalexandru5424]

BRomania is doing Eu integration really good, better than Hungary

[@raisonneur682]

Do you still struggle with Hungary-complexe?🤣 How many years had Romania to wait for Schengen-Light?! 17? Croatia joined much faster!

[@3dfxvoodoocards6]

@@raisonneur682sure but Romanian is richer with a higher standard of living than both Croatia and Hungary. Eurostat - GDP per capita PPP 2023 EU average- 100% Romania- 78% !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Hungary- 76% Croatia - 73%

[@dyawr]

​​​@@raisonneur682 That was not because Romania wasn't ready. The EU Commission gave the greenlight since 2011-2013 for Ro & Bg to join Schengen, lol. Bc of unrelated domestic politics & posturing, they weren't accepted. And it was always just 1 or 2 countries in opposition. After that, the matter was dropped for some years bc it was seen as futile.

[@raisonneur682]

@@dyawr As Romanians do lead the statistics of foreign criminals in Austria, the opposition has been well founded. Connections with Europe's poorest country Moldavia do represent a risk as well for the rest of the EU.

[@andraskleistenes8586]

​@@3dfxvoodoocards6GDP /capita is statistical number, salaries are still higher in Hungary in Croatia. Romania has reached a huge improvemant though since accesion. The middle class is still weak in Romania, rich poor dividence is too big

[@Just_another_Euro_dude]

8:18 GDP is not everything, and Montenegro and Serbia got only slightly smaller GDP per capita than Bulgaria and also only slightly lower average monthly salary than Bulgaria. Basically SIMILAR level like Bulgaria. But wealth per adult citizen Montenegro got 43 438 dollars and Bulgaria lower than 20 000 dollars. So GDP is not everything talking about the wealth. Out of the ENTIRE ex communist Europe ONLY Slovenia got higher median wealth per adult citizen than Montenegro. The houses and apartments are top notch in Montenegro and only Iceland and Austria got more hotels and motels per capita than Montenegro, in whole of Europe.

[@davrosdarlek7058]

But as you say GDP is not everything. The inequality in Montenegro is quite high I think (although idk about compared to Bulgaria). Also it's a tax haven which boosts GDP without any benefit to the average citizen.

[@Just_another_Euro_dude]

@@davrosdarlek7058 Wealth per adult citizen data that i presented is MEDIAN not mean. And even mean wealth per adult citizen is solid in Montenegro, almost 90 000 dollars.

[@costinhalaicu2746]

Montenegro's integration will be very simple, as the level there is quite high indeed. With membership, it will become a tourism target for westerners in no time, and the economy is quite good anyhow. The bigger issue to solve has more to do with other countries on the list which are not Montenegro and their integration.

[@raisonneur682]

The 15 old members had saturated markets, so the 10 new members brought significant source of growth for the 15. Unfortunately today, some EU members do want to block business relations to Russia, China, Central-Asia, etc. - this is insane!

[@serebii666]

Russia is sanctioned for good reason, and you know exactly why. When it comes to China strategically limiting it all depends on how much China is willing to destabilize international politics, especially if it tries to copy Russia and invade Taiwan, as it has recently stressed. The only insane thing is Europe willfully supporting and financing imperialism.

[@icu17siberia]

Business relations with Russia only helped Russia. China says it doesn't need the EU

[@raisonneur682]

@@serebii666 The EU sanctions against Russia are suicide and hypocrite. Meanwhile the US makes great business with China and imports Russian Uranium. The "heroic" Ukraine does buy Russian gas from Hungary. Your ideology sucks!

[@ashkanshekarchi7753]

@@serebii666typical Eurocentric Manichaeans perspective from aging, ethnically mixing, globally declining, and strategically irrelevant batch of countries.

[@serebii666]

@@ashkanshekarchi7753 cry about it

[@emersonmsd]

I left Germany for Slovakia. New wife and new life.😂

[@jandlouhy6914]

What value have immigration of people from north Afrika compare to qualified skilled workers from Ukraine ,not mention resources ,energy and so on ?

[@santostv.]

They pay less taxes because they are less educated meaning they have less value

[@KingHenryTheGreat]

0

[@johnvif]

Deep question to be fair. Most of them come to work low wage jobs that are still required. Future technology and robotic with AI will deplete those low skill jobs. Society should progress from those jobs and let robots take charge as they do in so many others. Human Evolution. But again, there's still way to many unskilled Ukrainians, but far more percentage skilled ones compared to North Africans.

[@statsguy1446]

​@@johnvif the only jobs the AI will replace are the creative ones unfortunately. Services will follow. There is not enough money (not to mention technological advance) to replace people working with hands and moving from place to place with reliable robotic alternative sadly.

[@marcoac-sx6lq]

Maybe for Easter Europe yes. Since we adopted the Euro everything has worsened in Italy.

[@henasgd1566]

Euro is under control and works for Germany and France

[@michaelroth2783]

The lower half of the population cannot pay the rents anymore

[@Just_another_Euro_dude]

You need to work more, like people in the ex communist Europe work and you need to fight your corruption much MUCH better. Only THEN will your economy become healthy again.

[@marcoac-sx6lq]

@Just_another_Euro_dude we already work a lot more than average and our corruption is in line with other western countries.

[@Just_another_Euro_dude]

​@@marcoac-sx6lqSo, let me guess this straight. Euro is not bad, and just fine for Germany, for France, for Netherlands, for Belgium, for Austria, for Luxembourg, for Finland, for damn island like Ireland, for Slovenia, for Slovakia, for Malta, for Cyprus, for Lithuania, for Latvia, for Estonia, but somehow it's incredibly bad and a disaster for Italy? Yeah, i m sure the problem is a huge corruption and bad work habits. Just like in most of the southern Europe. For example Greece and Portugal, and somewhat Spain. Same story like Italy.

[@mobilelegendshighlights1]

Why is never Romania and Bulgaria on your eu expansion maps ?

[@Just_another_Euro_dude]

Cause this is a story about the 2004 enlargement and the 20th anniversary. Notice there's also no Croatia.

[@Blanka1100]

Didn't they join in 2007 instead od 2004? Here you have why.

[@costinhalaicu2746]

Because we were part of the 2007 expansion, not 2004. This material talks about the 20th anniversary of the 2004 expansion, whereas we've been in the union only for 17, and Croatia for 11.

[@MegaDuras]

i'm concerned about the lack of economic policies in Czechia as their policy is to let everything be handled by the free market.

[@direnius]

Why did you purposefully leave Turkey out of the potential new members when Turkey is officially a candidate state, different from many of the countries you put on the list? Not to mention that its GDP and GDP per capita is much higher than many (If not all) of the countries on the list. Your guest luckily saw this error and fixed it, but it shows how non-professional and non-objective your journalism is as DW. Shame on you.

[@henasgd1566]

Nobody knows, how it would look like if ue does not exists. Thus showing those figures is useless. UE is getting old, bureaucratic, non-democcratic, loosing its positon, no new technologues. China wins, all the time germans factories are moved out iof ue (INDIA, even USA) becouse of insane costs of enengy.

[@peternagy3942]

For Romania yes, for others not really, this means Romania is the biggest leech

[@hubertborusinski1647]

Central not eastern Europe joined EU 20 years ago, geography much DW?

[@cheeseflavoredsoda3262]

Haha, nice one.

[@davrosdarlek7058]

I'm Polish and Eastern European.

[@jakubowczarek193]

​@@davrosdarlek7058 Czyli emigrant z polskim paszportem? Wszystko jest możliwe 😊

[@High1QWealth]

Turkey will never be in the EU!

[@dyawr]

It will, if the political trajectory turns around in Turkey. But, the people have voted... not enough of the population wants a change of direction, unfortunately. Also, there will be a challenge of building trust with the EU members. Bc Turkey is a huge country, and it would become a big problem if another Erdogan figure comes to power & starts dissenting from the bloc, trying to impose its will, etc..

[@santostv.]

If wasn’t they politics it would be nice but we don’t want another Hungary situation

[@andraskleistenes8586]

​@@santostv.Orban is getting weaker now, fortunatelly

[@High1QWealth]

@@santostv. they are just not European and incompatible with European values, mindset, ethics, etc etc.

[@santostv.]

@@andraskleistenes8586 Hopefully we can have a more aligned partner in the future.

[@toi_techno]

The EU is primarily a peace keeping mechanism This is why as soon as the UK left (making the mechanism look weak) war.started again

[@mutkaluikkunen3926]

EU gained a massive influx of organized crime from these eastern-european countries. Over there years there have been numerous series of home burglaries conducted by criminal gangs from these countries. Joining the Shengen area was a true blessing to these criminal gangs. They could move mostly freely without any identity checks, commit their crimes and ship the loot out of the country. To a lay man's eyes, these eastern-european countries have brought more bad than good with their membership. They've sadly been infected with ruzzian corruption during the occupation and it's grown into the societies.

[@Kicklighter.A]

🇪🇺❤

[@steffen6987]

If you are gonna call it Czech Republic, why don't you say Slovak Republic?

[@PavelQuiteGood]

The news host tried saying 'Czechia' and failed. That's why.

[@Blanka1100]

@@PavelQuiteGood I was perfectly fine with "Chech Republic" term and I have no clue why and what for you needed to change it.

[@thomasnox2934]

@@Blanka1100it sounds like Chechnya. Sorry, Czechia doesn’t sound good in English. Bohemia would…

[@daved4572]

Amazing success for peace and prosperity. I’m forever surprised how European countries can actually agree on uniform laws and still move forward despite all their ethnic and cultural differences. Brexitiers are on the wrong side of history now

[@defendfreedom1390]

NATO and particularly American protection brought peace, not EU.

[@smileandwave782]

Ask the Greeks about financial success. The quality life plummeted while the cost of living skyrocketed. Poland and Croatia received money to build new infrastructure but Greece, Italy, and Germany's infrastructure is shoddy.

[@santostv.]

Greece was their fault and now it was c•vid so it’s in happening in every first world country. Germany has a debt ceiling they are conservatives when it comes to money, Italy I fully know but they are even more corrupt than my country.

[@Blanka1100]

Poland and Croatia worked hard and knew EU is not a Santa Claus who would give you everything for free.

[@definitlynotbenlente7671]

The eu had to bail out the greek fovernment to save the economy from colapse

[@d.a.t.7723]

Nothing is perfect, but the EEU is the closest, it's a success, that all evil wants to destroy!

[@olbiomoiros]

wrong map with Cyprus.

[@IM-jr5tb]

How can you talk about success story of new EU menbers by looking to one economic ratio. I am Lithuanian and I can not see your described success story. Today GDP per capita is one of the highest per decades just because population in LT is one of the smallest in decades. EU donated millions for new EU members circulate in small circle of entrepreneurs and politicians. Of course, more money in LT market means growing GDP because of taxes. Despite of that taxes is growing and are larger than ever before and bigger than in many EU rich countries but minimum and average wages are one of the smallest in EU. Coming millions without regulations code increasing inequality which now is one of the highest in LT. Brain-drain is not the biggest cause of emigration, many poor people emigrate for a bigger salary abroad, unbearable prices of housing and etc. Real estate is the best place to wash money where the biggest part of EU money goes for. It is a disaster that citizens have to leave their country because they can not afford to live in it, corruption and looking for better opportunity because of devision of people to poor and rich in university level, not letting poor to achieve anything.

[@Blanka1100]

Would you like to stay outside of EU and share the same fate as Ukraine? I do not think so.

[@apsmith1635]

I am really happy that the people that want freedom and democracy can join our european Union. We need to help those who want to join but are attacked by dictators trying take over their countries with brutal power.

[@Justmyopinionlol]

Western Europeans poorer than ever while Eastern Europe lost all its young people.

[@butterflies655]

Not all of them.