HUMAN DEVELOPMENT INDEX IN THE CONTEXT OF REGIONAL DISPARITIES. THE CASE OF ROMANIA

Territorial development refers in large part to developed and underdeveloped areas, to the way in which a better link can be made between these areas and the way in which poorly developed areas can reach those in the first places. Although differentiated development is an inherent part of the development experience of each country, no country has reached its stage of development without first having to face internal differences. The fact that certain regions are growing faster is a good thing because it allows faster global growth and generates more compact resources to address the variety of challenges a country faces. For a wider development, the emphasis should move from the region to the citizen. Decision makers should not focus on poorly developed areas, but on people living in these areas. Regions and economies are as powerful as people living in them, and if these people do not have access to opportunities, the regions will not. As the latest economic behaviour studies show, people tend to be more productive when they are engaged in activities that represent something for themselves - those activities they are doing with pleasure, activities for which they are good and where they think they can progress continuously. Most often, underdeveloped regions cannot offer such opportunities