Abstract

By using data drawn from the Regional Competitiveness Index, this paper provides empirical analyses aimed at investigating the competitiveness of Italian regions over the time period 2010-2013 when Italy was seriously affected by the sovereign debt crisis. The competitiveness gap among Italian NUTS2 Southern regions, Northern ones and other European NUTS2 regions is evaluated at the beginning and at the end of this period. Statistical data processing shows that over the years under investigation the competitiveness of Italian Southern regions worsened with few exceptions. Furthermore, a general worsening of Italian competitiveness compared with other European regions is reported, especially when looking at some indicators among those examined.