Although
much has been discussed with regards to the political forces at work in the
Balkans, both today and during the conflicts during the 1990's, I think much
less attention has been given to the economic side.
As they
say, "follow the money".
In general,
I’m looking for answers to the following questions:
-
What economically
identifies these separate national groups?
-
What industries have
dominated these nations in the past and which have perhaps taken their place in
more modern times?
-
How are these nations
affected by global economics?
-
How did the 2008-2009
recession affect the Balkan Nations?
Below represents the summary of some of the economic research that i've compiled.
|
General Economic
Facts
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||||
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|
|
|
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US
|
|
Population
|
7.6 million
|
3.9 million
|
4.4 million
|
314.2 million
|
|
GDP per capita
|
$10,405
|
$8,216
|
$17,810
|
$49,922
|
|
Unemployment
|
23.1%
|
28.0%
|
15%
|
8.1%
|
|
Currency
|
Dinar
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Convertible Mark
|
Kuna
|
Dollar
|
|
Highlighted
Economic Problems
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Corruption, large information sector
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Corruption, government gridlock
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Corruption, Cumbersome court system
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Government gridlock (example given was natl park shutdown)
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Government
Spending (as % of total GDP)
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64%
|
45%
|
56%
|
>100%
|
|
Source: 2014 Index of
Economic Freedom
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GDP Composition
by Sector of Origin
|
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US
|
|
Agriculture
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7.9%
|
8.1%
|
5.0%
|
1.1%
|
|
Industry
|
31.8%
|
26.4%
|
25.8%
|
19.5%
|
|
Services
|
60.3%
|
65.5%
|
69.2%
|
79.4%
|
|
Source: CIA Factbook
- 2013
|
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Religion
|
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|
|
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Roman Catholic
|
5
|
15
|
86.3
|
|
Orthodox
|
84.6
|
31
|
4.4
|
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Muslim
|
3.1
|
40
|
1.5
|
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Other
|
1.8
|
14
|
1.5
|
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Unspecified
|
4.5
|
n/a
|
2.5
|
|
Not religious or atheist
|
1.1
|
n/a
|
3.8
|
|
Source: CIA World
Factbook
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United States: Protestant 51.3%, Roman
Catholic 23.9%, Mormon 1.7%, other Christian 1.6%, Jewish 1.7%, Buddhist 0.7%,
Muslim 0.6%, other or unspecified 2.5%, unaffiliated 12.1%, none 4% (2007 est.)
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