|
Eastern Europe and Central Asia
The Eastern Europe and Central Asia region has enjoyed robust economic growth over the last few years. Eight countries (the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia) joined the European Union in 2004. Two more (Bulgaria and Romania) are scheduled to enter the EU in 2007, while Croatia and Turkey are currently in negotiations for eventual entry. The upturn of the economy has not been accompanied by comparable social progress, however, and in many cases has increased disparities between and within countries.
The transition countries in Central Asia, the Caucasus, the Western Balkans and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) that were part of the former Soviet Union are still struggling with social disruptions that accompanied the moving away from centrally planned economies. These countries have continued to be characterized by high poverty rates, income inequality, long term unemployment and declining access to public services. In many Central Asian and Caucasian countries, illiteracy rates are still increasing while school enrolment rates are declining. The number of refugees in the region has also grown rapidly in the past decade, creating significant social challenges. more
 Back to top
|
HOME:
UNFPA WORLDWIDE:
Eastern Europe & Central Asia
