Efekt Balassy-Samuelsona a pogłębienie integracji krajów Europy Środkowo-Wschodniej z Unią Europejską

In the public discussion about a possible Polish accession to the euro zone, there are concerns about rising inflation due to the Balassa-Samuelson effect. Skeptics put the thesis that the Balassa-Samuelson effect will increase after the adoption of a common currency. The article dispels these concerns on the basis the theory, review of previous studies and Author’s own studies. Balassa-Samuelson effect is relatively small and declining over time. After the Polish accession to the EU it is lower than before accession. In the countries of Central and Eastern Europe that already have the euro, it expired after the adoption of a common currency. Concerns about the Balassa-Samuelson effect increase in the light of theoretical and empirical research are not justified. Reducing the Balassa-Samuelson effect does not exclude the emergence of inflationary impulses from other sources.