Central & Eastern Europe regional overview
Central and Eastern Europe represents a market of about 190 million people and has enjoyed an outstanding level of economic development over the past 30 years. A total of 10 countries joined the EU as of May 1, 2004, including 8 Central/Eastern European countries, Malta and Cyprus. Another two CEE countries – Bulgaria and Romania – joined the EU on January 1, 2007. Finally, Croatia joined as of 1 July, 2013. The table below provides a comparative regional overview of all 21 countries of the Central and Eastern Europe, of which 11 are EU members and 10 are not.
| COUNTRY | CAPITAL | AREA | POPUL. | UNEMPLOY. | GDP/CAPITA | GDP | GDP real growth rate (annual percent change) | |||
| (sq. km) | (mil.) | (%, 2023) | (PPP, USD 2023) | (current p., USD billion, 2023) | (2022) | (2023) | (est. 2024) | |||
| AL | Albania | Tirana | 28,748 | 2.9 | 11.0 | 19,480 | 22.74 | 4.8 | 3.3 | 3.1 |
| BY | Belarus | Minsk | 207,600 | 9.3 | 3.5 | 24,370 | 71.81 | -4.7 | 3.9 | 2.4 |
| BA | Bosnia & Herzegovina | Sarajevo | 51,197 | 3.5 | 13.2 | 19,600 | 27.22 | 4.2 | 1.8 | 2.5 |
| BG | Bulgaria | Sofia | 110,910 | 6.8 | 4.3 | 33,980 | 101.61 | 3.9 | 1.8 | 2.7 |
| HR | Croatia | Zagreb | 56,542 | 4.0 | 6.1 | 43,230 | 82.04 | 6.3 | 2.8 | 3.0 |
| CZ | Czech Republic | Prague | 78,866 | 10.5 | 2.6 | 49,350 | 332.03 | 2.3 | -0.4 | 0.7 |
| EE | Estonia | Tallinn | 45,226 | 1.3 | 6.4 | 44,270 | 40.76 | -0.5 | -3 | -0.5 |
| HU | Hungary | Budapest | 93,030 | 9.7 | 4.1 | 43,570 | 212.61 | 4.6 | -0.9 | 2.2 |
| XK | Kosovo | Pristina | 10,887 | 1.8 | 25.8* | 15,790 | 10.48 | 4.3 | 3.3 | 3.8 |
| LV | Latvia | Riga | 64,589 | 1.9 | 6.5 | 40,000 | 43.6 | 3 | -0.3 | 1.7 |
| LT | Lithuania | Vilnius | 65,300 | 2.8 | 6.9 | 47,910 | 77.93 | 2.4 | -0.3 | 2.2 |
| MK | North Macedonia | Skopje | 25,333 | 2.1 | 14.3 | 24,080 | 14.77 | 2.2 | 1.0 | 2.7 |
| MD | Moldova | Kishinev | 33,851 | 2.5 | 4.5 | 16,730 | 17.05 | -5.0 | 1.0 | 2.6 |
| ME | Montenegro | Podgorica | 14,026 | 0.6 | n/a | 27,960 | 7.41 | 6.4 | 6.0 | 3.7 |
| PL | Poland | Warsaw | 312,679 | 37.7 | 2.8 | 46,410 | 808.44 | 5.3 | 0.2 | 3.1 |
| RO | Romania | Bucharest | 237,500 | 19.2 | 5.6 | 40,840 | 345.89 | 4.6 | 2.1 | 2.8 |
| RU | Russia | Moscow | 17,075,200 | 145.5 | 3.2 | 35,400 | 2,000 | -1.2 | 3.6 | 3.2 |
| YU | Serbia | Belgrade | 77,474 | 6.8 | 9.5 | 26,300 | 75.19 | 2.5 | 2.5 | 3.5 |
| SK | Slovakia | Bratislava | 48,845 | 5.5 | 5.8 | 42,170 | 132.12 | 1.8 | 1.1 | 2.1 |
| SI | Slovenia | Ljubljana | 20,273 | 2.1 | 3.7 | 51,050 | 68.24 | 2.5 | 1.6 | 2.0 |
| UA | Ukraine | Kiev | 603,700 | 38* | 19.1 | 14,700 | 177.2 | -29.1 | 5.0 | 3.2 |
Source: CIA – The World Factbook; European Commission Forecasts; International Monetary Fund; *2022
GDP real growth rate
The 2023 best performing economy was Montenegro (6%) and the worst was Estonia (-3%). As a result of the Russian invasion to Ukraine, many countries have struggled with increased energy prices and inflation which has led to higher interest rates resulting in capital outflows, lower investment and consumption, and thus slower economic growth than expected. For 2024, the IMF forecasts mostly modest growth for all CEE countries.
GDP per capita (purchasing power parity)
In terms of GDP per capita, which reflects economic performance and well-being, Slovenia (population 2 million) is the region’s leader, followed by the Czech Republic (population 10.5 million) and Lithuania (population of 2.7 million). The economies that has been performing above average and gaining ground in recent years are Poland and Romania.
The following graph shows GDP per capita in the 13 CEE countries covered by EasyLink’s market research and international trade consultancy services.
Market Research in Central Europe and Eastern Europe
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Customer Search & Partner Search in Central & Eastern Europe (CEE)
We are experienced experts in matchmaking projects involving the search, identification, screening and pre-selection of business partners in Central & Eastern Europe, ranging from distributor search to profiling of prospective customers and identifying specific business opportunities; we assist our clients with sourcing in emerging markets and low-cost markets in the CEE region.
International Trade Consultancy – Export, Marketing and Trade Promotion in the CEE region
EasyLink has a unique track record in international trade promotion. With local consultants in all key markets in Central & Eastern Europe, EU markets and some overseas markets, we provide customized market research, develop trade opportunities with prospective partners and new customers, and assist clients with strategic advice for their export, marketing and sourcing needs.