Acta Universitatis Danubius. Œconomica, Vol 12, No 5 (2016)

Abstract

The paper is focused on analyzing the present economic disparities across SADC countries and on the opportunity of realizing SADC’s goals until 2020 using four representative economic indicators: GDP growth rate, unemployment rate, inflation rate and balance of current account. Comparative analysis, regression, cluster approach and dedicated forecasting procedures are used in order to do it. The main conclusion of the paper is that the economic disparities across SADC countries will increase on short and medium terms. Moreover, the SADC countries should be analyzed under two specific clusters. This approach will be the best solution for the decision makers. The whole analysis in the paper and conclusions are supported by the latest official statistic data, by pertinent tables and diagrams.