Economic activity of residents in border districts of Poland: A study of non-agricultural business enterprises

Abstract

This article aims to evaluate the economic activity of residents living in Polish border districts. Economic activity is measured via non-agricultural business activity development, with particular focus on financial support received from the European Union (EU). The spatial scope of the research covers Polish border districts, and the temporal scope includes the years 2004-2017 and 2007-2013. Empirical data were obtained from the Local Data Bank of the Main Statistical Office in Warsaw. We conducted comparative analyses, using dynamics indicator and coefficients of variation. Results of our analyses suggest that the level and dynamics of non-agricultural business activity development after Poland’s integration with EU are similar in the border districts as compared with all Polish districts. The most dynamic development was observed in the western border districts, whereas the least dynamic growth and the lowest level is observed along the eastern border. Residents of the border districts are less active in raising EU funds to develop non-agricultural businesses in comparison with Polish districts as a whole.

Keywords

• economic activity of residents
• non-agricultural business activity
• poland’s border district