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Some interesting GDP stats for 2007 published a few days ago by the EU (Eurostats agency).
EU combined GDP : 12.1 trillion euros
EU per capita GDP : 24700 euros
Here's a state by state break down, the first number is the per capita GDP (in euros), the number in brackets is the "GDP Index" (EU per capita average = 100), the GDP Index is a useful tool to quickly visualize the gap between the EU average and a given state.
In black are the 15 older sates, in red the states that joined in 2004, in purple those that joined in 2007.
Luxembourg : 66900 (259)
Ireland : 35900 (139)
Netherlands : 32300 (125)
Austria : 31500 (122)
Denmark : 31200 (121)
Belgium : 30100 (117)
Sweden : 30000 (116)
United Kingdom : 30000 (116)
Finland : 29100 (113)
Germany : 28300 (110)
France : 27200 (106)
Italy : 25300 (98)
Spain : 25100 (97)
Cyprus : 22500 (87)
Greece : 22000 (85)
Slovenia : 21800 (84)
Czechia : 19900 (77)
Malta : 18300 (71)
Portugal : 17900 (69)
Estonia : 17700 (69)
Hungary : 16300 (63)
Slovakia : 16300 (63)
Lithuania : 14800 (57)
Latvia : 14700 (57)
Poland : 13600 (53)
Romania : 9600 (37)
Bulgaria : 9300 (36)
The general idea is that no state should have a per capita GDP below 2 thirds of the EU average (a GDP Index below 66 in other words), the 'less rich' older state, Portugal, being just above that threshold with a GDP Index of 69.
The main focus of the EU since 2004 has been to bring new member states up to speed and within EU standards of wealth.
Out of the 10 new member states that joined in 2004,
5 states - Cyprus, Slovenia, Czechia, Malta, Estonia - are above the 66 threshold and are now considered within EU standards,
2 states - Hungary, Slovakia - are almost there and will reach the 66 threshold within a couple of years,
2 states - Lithuania, Latvia - are a bit lower but should easily reach the 66 threshold within 5 years,
1 state - Poland - is further behind and will need a lot of efforts, the 66 threshold should be reached within 10 years if everything goes well
The 2 new member states that joined in 2007 are understandably much lower and will need even more efforts, the 66 threshold is reachable within 15 years though.
Most of those states, especially Poland, Romania, and Bulgaria, will see a major influx of EU structural funds during the 2007-2012 period, which should give a significant boost to their economies.
All in all, things are progressing relatively well and all EU states should be within EU standards of wealth by 2020.
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