POLARIZATION AND REGIONAL INEQUALITY: WEST REGION OF PARANÁ STATE CONTEXT

Abstract

This work aims to analyze the polarization in the western region of Paraná, and also assess the existing regional inequalities both in the regions of Paraná west, as in all mesoregions that make up the State of Paraná. To analyze the polarization tables were used with relevant information such as GDP per capita, population, Value Added Tax, and growth rate estimates of the municipalities. To measure the degree of regional inequality we used the inequality indicator Regional Development Williamson (1977). The review period was the years 2002 to 2010. In the case of the western region, there was a strong polarization on the part of the main cities in each micro-region, which was already expected because Cascavel, Foz do Iguaçu and Toledo are the largest cities and, consequently those having the highest number of inhabitants. Regarding regional inequality analysis in western Paraná, it observed a reduction in the level of inequality that was in the micro region of Cascavel. The results show a high degree of inequality between the Curitiba metropolitan middle region and the rest of the state, and this middle region reached the highest level of inequality of Paraná. Furthermore, it was found that the west is inserted in a context of economic growth ahead of other regions such as the north central middle region, a region formed the longest and has two of the three largest cities Paraná; Londrina and Maringa.