Trends of Internal Equilibrium of Economy in New EU Member States

Abstract

Statement that one of the most important objectives of every national economy is internal equilibrium is
emphasized in theory of macroeconomics and consolidated in Lithuanian economy development strategy for the
period by 2015. To analyse this balance, Swan diagram known in theory of economics is applied.
The article reviews conditions of internal equilibrium of economy in national economies of the new EU
member states. Parameters of internal equilibrium of economy – low inflation and acceptably low level of unemployment
– are theoretically linked with the most important parameter of external equilibrium – deficit of payments
current account balance. It is shown that almost all new EU member state have no inflation problem and this
problem is already solved in a group of 15 EU states. Conditionally higher level of inflation in Slovenia, Hungary
and partly in Estonia was related to growth of salaries, i.e. factor of demand inflation operated in the economy.
However, it is possible to state that inflation factor for the last years in old and new EU member states had not
damaging influence upon internal equilibrium.
More complicated situation is related to unemployment factor. However, problem of unemployment is characteristic
both for new and old EU member states. Conditionally low gross level of unemployment in 15 EU states
(8 per cent in 2003) was achieved in small EU member states (Luxemburg, Netherlands, Austria, Ireland, Denmark)
at the account of low level of unemployment. Level of unemployment exceeds average in the larger EU
member states (Spain, France, Germany and Greece). Unemployment trends for the last 2-3 years are positive,
however, according to results of employment studies, level of unemployment remains greater than 10 per cent in
Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia. Especially urgent problem of unemployment in EU member states remains in
Poland and Slovakia, furthermore, there is no tendencies of unemployment decrease in these states.
One of the ways to achieve the internal equilibrium of economy in terms of discussed economic indices is to
decrease the unemployment level. The article explains some trends of inflation and employment in new EU
member states. Unemployment level dependence on structure of employment is observed: higher level of unemployment
is characteristic to states with greater employment in agricultural sector, and lower level – to states with
wider employment in industries. However, in future, most of the states link opportunities of unemployment
reduction with rapid development of service sector.
It is reasonable to consider internal balance of economy by investigating external equilibrium which is understood
as a deficit of payments current account balance in comparison with gross domestic product of the state.