Inequalities between Mediterranean countries on the North, South and East shores: a multidimensional analysis

Abstract

The present study analyzes the inequalities between countries on the North, South and East Mediterranean shores. These geographic areas exhibit different socio-demographic and economic structures, health, and employment status, and unequal access to technological and environmental opportunities. The multidimensional analysis herein presented is carried out along the main key policy areas of the New Agenda for the Mediterranean: a) Human development, b) Economic resilience, prosperity and digital transition, c) Green transition, climate resilience and energy. This research rises under the context of WeMed, a joint project between Istat and CNR that offers an integrated analysis of the social, economic, environmental, and gender dynamics of Mediterranean countries. The WeMed database is the result of a complex process of collection, comparison, and selection of indicators from the most accredited international sources (World Bank, United Nations, ILO, IMF, OECD, Eurostat and Istat). Using Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Cluster Analysis (CA), the study identifies underlying dimensions and classifies 25 countries into four clusters. The main findings, based on multivariate methods, reveal consistent geographical patterns and atypical national profiles, highlighting the need for diversified, shore-specific policy approaches.