09/02/2026
NWRA Economist John Daly spoke to the Irish Independent about the upcoming adjustment in the economic status of the Northern and Western Region of Ireland
Key point noted were:
📊 The European Commission will classify the Northern and Western Region of Ireland as a “More Developed Region” for the next EU funding period of 2028-2034. (i.e. region with a GDP per capita above the EU average).
📈 This represents a significant improvement for the region’s economy, having been previously classified as a “Transition Region” (i.e. region with a GDP per capita between 75% and 100% of the EU average).
⚠️ While welcoming, such growth is not reaching all parts of the region, with GDP figures in the Border counties in line with some of the poorest regions in the EU27, with significant growth in Galway in recent years a key factor explaining this change.
💶 As a result of this change, the Northern and Western Region will lose its favorable EU co-financing rates for the next EU funding period.
John noted that these trends highlight the importance of delivering on the Northern and Western Regional Assembly's 35 priority infrastructure projects as per our submission on the revised National Development Plan.
The interview can be accessed via the below link, the NWRA would like to thank to Gabrielle Monaghan for a great article.
Border counties are set to lose out on favourable European Union funding available to other poorer districts because the European Commission is upgrading the wider northern and western region of Ireland to a “more developed region” from a “transition region” for the next EU funding period.
