SOCIO-ECONOMIC ANALYSIS OF THE SOUTH-WEST OLTENIA DEVELOPMENT REGION

Abstract

The paper analyzes the socio-economic development level of the South-West Oltenia Development Region, composed of Dolj, Gorj, Mehedinți, Olt, and Vâlcea counties, aiming to identify territorial disparities and strategic priorities for sustainable regional growth. The study’s relevance derives from the region’s strategic location at Romania’s south-western border and from the need to ensure a balanced use of its natural, human, and economic resources. The research methodology relied on official statistical data (National Institute of Statistics, Tempo-Online) for the 2014–2024 period, analyzed through descriptive and comparative methods. Demographic and economic indicators were assessed at both regional and county levels, and the results were presented using tables and graphical representations. Findings reveal a pronounced demographic decline, with a population loss exceeding 75,000 inhabitants and a negative natural growth rate (–10,741), the population density remaining below the national average. The regional GDP reached 108.4 billion RON in 2022, accounting for only 7.8% of Romania’s economy, while GDP per capita (51,826 RON) confirms a low level of economic competitiveness. The regional economy shows a mixed structure – agricultural in the south, energy and industrial in the north – while infrastructure remains insufficiently developed. The conclusions emphasize the need for integrated policies of territorial cohesion, infrastructure modernization, a fair energy transition, investments in agriculture, and economic diversification, as key drivers to reduce internal disparities and enhance the region’s competitiveness in the national and European context.