ANALYSIS OF REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT IN THE SLOVAK REPUBLIC USING SELECTED METHODS OF MEASURING REGIONAL DISPARITIES

The aim of the paper is to assess regional disparities within the Slovak Republic with focus on the market concentration that is used to determine the competitiveness of the market. Following the main research aim the regional structure of Slovakia in the light of the selected socio-economic indicators was examined. The most relevant indicator in terms of research carried out is the GDP/capita, the appropriate indicator of socio-economic development in the region. Following step presents the Herfindahl-Hirschman Index (HHI), a measure of market concentration, examining the GDP of regions. The paper focuses on the application of 3 methods used for measuring regional disparities such as variance, standard deviation and coefficient of variation. In accordance with the gained results based on the analysis of RGDP in Slovakia, it can be concluded that the regional disparities between the regions of Slovakia and Bratislava region are gradually disappearing. The obtained data shows that disparities among regions are decreasing, while the decrease was faster during certain years. In 2016 a divergence of disparities can be observed. This year shows a significant divergence, e.g. Trnava region (-0,7217), Nitra region (-0,6243), Banská Bystrica region (-0,2565), Prešov region (-0,4498), which reflects deepening regional disparities compared to Bratislava region. However 2018 recorded values expressing the relationship m>1 (gradual elimination of regional disparities) between the regions – region of Trnava, region of Trenčín, region of Prešov.