Economics

EU downgrades Ireland’s north and west to a ‘lagging region’

Area which includes Galway, Roscommon, Leitrim, Sligo, Donegal, Monaghan and Mayo faces ‘a range of challenges’

The north and west of Ireland’s GDP per head of population has fallen from 82 per cent of the EU average between 2015 and 2017 to an estimated 71 per cent now. Picture: Getty

The north and west of Ireland has been downgraded to a “lagging region” by the European Commission after becoming significantly poorer relative to the European average over recent years.

In a stark assessment, the commission said the region faced a range of development challenges including lower productivity and educational attainment, as well as a weaker skills base and business environment.

The region’s GDP per head of population has fallen from 82 per cent of the ...