The poorest EU region is Severozapaden in Bulgaria, with a GDP per capita (expressed in terms of purchasing power parity – PPP) at 28% of the EU average for 2008.
The Nord-Est region of Romania, encompassing the counties Suceava, Botosani, Neamt, Iasi, Bacau and Vaslui, ranks second-poorest, with a PPP at 29% of the EU average.
It is followed by three Bulgarian regions, Romania’s Sud-Vest Oltenia (Dolj, Gorj, Mehedinti, Olt, Valcea), with 36%, and Severoiztochen in Bulgaria.
Romania’s Sud-Est region (Braila, Buzau, Galati, Tulcea, Constanta and Vrancea) rank eighth.
Poland’s poorest region is ninth, with 39% of the average EU PPP, followed by Romania’s Sud-Muntenia (Arges, Calarasi, Dambovita, Giurgiu, Ialomita, Prahova and Teleorman).
Eszak-Magyaroszag is the poorest administrative region in Hungary, ranking 12th with 40% of the average PPP.
Nord-Vest Romania (Bihor, Bistrita-Nasaud, Cluj, Maramures, Satu Mare and Salaj) rank 15th. Central Romania (Alba, Brasov, Covasna, Harghita, Mures and Sibiu) is the richest region in the country, except for Bucharest-Ilfov, on 19th place.
The richest region in Europe overall is Inner London, with a PPP at 343% of the average, followed by Luxembourg – 279% and Brussels – 216%. Prague is the richest city in the former Eastern bloc, ranking sixth in the EU, with 172% of the average PPP, above Stockholm and Vienna.