The above, based on 2017 GDP per capita data, uses East Germany, long considered a benchmark for post-socialist economic recovery, as a reference point, set at approximately €30,300 per person. Regions shown in red fall below that threshold.

Following reunification in 1990, East Germany inherited outdated infrastructure , lower productivity, and weaker industrial capacity. Since then, the German government has invested more than €2 trillion in reconstruction, subsidies, and regional development.

While income gaps between eastern and western Germany persist, East Germany’s GDP per capita now exceeds that of many EU regions.

According to Eurostat, several regions in Southern Italy, Spain, Portugal, Greece, Eastern Europe , and the Balkans continue to trail behind eastern German states in output per person.

The map underscores long-standing structural challenges. Many red-marked regions are affected by low industrial diversification, weaker transport links, ageing populations, and chronic underinvestment.

In Southern Europe, the aftershocks of the 2008 financial crisis and the eurozone debt crisis slowed recovery for more than a decade. In Eastern Europe and the Balkans, the legacy of post-socialist transition and limited capital inflows continues to constrain growth.

The European Commission has repeatedly acknowledged that regional inequality within the EU remains high, even as national averages improve. Wealth tends to concentrate in capital cities and export-driven regions, leaving rural and peripheral areas behind.

At least 37 people were killed after torrential rains triggered flash floods in Morocco’s Atlantic coastal province of Safi, authorities said. State broadcaster SNRT News reported that at least 14 people were hospitalised, including two in intensive care, after heavy rain on Sunday swept cars and debris through the town, about 300km south of Rabat. Local authorities said more than 70 homes and businesses in the historic old city were flooded within an hour, while search and rescue operations and support efforts for affected residents remain ongoing.

Morocco positions itself at the centre of Atlantic geopolitics and long-term reform debates

Morocco is being highlighted as a central actor in discussions around geopolitics , structural reforms, and future-oriented policy planning through the “Perspectives 2030” framework. The Policy Centre’s focus places the country at the heart of the Atlantic Dialogues, underscoring Morocco’s growing role as a convening power between Africa, Europe, and the Atlantic world. This positioning reflects sustained diplomatic engagement, strategic economic planning, and an emphasis on long-term stability and influence in regional and transatlantic affairs.

Morocco–EBRD contracts set to reach a record $1 billion in 2025

Greg Guyett, first Vice-President of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, said 2025 is a record year for EBRD contract signings with Morocco, totalling about $1 billion , driven by strong government partnerships and private sector collaboration. He said the bank will continue investing to support business growth, particularly for SMEs, with a focus on energy, industry, water, renewable energy, grid upgrades, and education programs that empower youth and women.

Government explores a new framework to recognise and support women’s unpaid household work

Morocco is examining the development of a new policy framework aimed at addressing women’s unpaid household labour , a long-standing issue in social and economic policy. This initiative signals increased attention to gender equity, social protection, and the economic value of care work that has traditionally gone unrecognised. The exploration of such a framework suggests a broader reform agenda focused on inclusion, labour recognition, and social justice within national development priorities.

Morocco reiterates a firm and fair position on the Sahara issue under King Mohammed VI’s leadership

The head of government has reaffirmed Morocco’s firm and fair stance on the Sahara issue, emphasising continuity and clarity under the leadership of King Mohammed VI. This position reflects the state’s consistent diplomatic narrative, combining sovereignty claims with calls for pragmatic and realistic solutions. The reiteration underscores the centrality of the Sahara issue to Morocco’s foreign policy, national unity, and international engagement strategy.