Nierówności w poziomie rozwoju społeczno-gospodarczego gmin wiejskich województwa łódzkiego
Inequalities in socio-economic development in rural communes in the Łódź region

Summary/Abstract: The main aim of this article is to explain disparities in socio-economic development of rural communes in the Łódź region and to compare them to the results of studies conducted before Poland joined the European Union. The research resulted in the classification of rural communes in the Łódź region according to their level of socio-economic development. Statistical data were taken from the Local Data Bank, Central Statistical Office. The ranking of communes was compiled for 2008 and 2013, i.e. for the beginning and end of the development programming period in the European Union. Studies are dynamic, making it possible to present the changes in socio-economic development disparities. The results have shown that general development inequalities in rural areas of the region have decreased. In the time period chosen for the study (2008‒2013), there was an increase in the level of socio-economic development. The greatest increase in development level was noticed in rural communes located outside of the Łódź agglomeration, very often in the peripheral areas with dominant agricultural function. Some important elements of the socio-economic growth were increased investment expenses, higher overall expenses and, partially resulting from them, supplementation of basic infrastructural shortcomings (improved living conditions). The worsening demographic situation should be considered the greatest development problem for rural communes. It is obvious that further socio-economic transformations will be impacted by the decreasing share of children and youths, as well as mobile working age population.

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