Abstract
EU MEMBER TRANSITION ECONOMIES AND TURKEY IN LIGHT OF DEVELOPMENT INDICATORS
The aim of this study is to reconsider its contribution to the development of Turkey's being an EU member. Therefore, development indicators of 11 transition economies which became a member of European Union in 2000s and development indicators of Turkey have been compared. In 2004, eight of the 11 transition economies and in the following years (2007 and 2013), the rest of 3 countries became the members of the European Union. It is considered that transition economies will be a good example in understanding the contribution of the European Union to its members more clearly. Therefore, development indicators of these countries have been examined in two separate periods covering the years 1993-2004 and 2005-2018 and compared with the development indicators of Turkey in the same period. In comparison, twelve development indicators in area of economy, R & D, environment, health and education under the title of 'world development indicators' which published by World Bank have been evaluated. Turkey and transition economies when compared in terms of development indicators; it is observed that transition economies generally developed more rapidly and steadily after EU membership. Without become member to EU, it is necessary for Turkey's developing more faster it’s need to use own internal dynamics in an effective and stable manner.
Keywords
Transition Economies, Development Indicators, European Union