The Czech Republic could reach 70% of the EU average gross domestic product (GDP) per capita by 2008-2010 according to a recent study. At present the country’s GDP stands at just over 60% - comparable with the pre-accession level of Ireland or Greece, and significantly higher than Portugal in its accession year when it stood at 52%.

A team headed by Ruzena Vintrova was appointed by the government's Council for Social and Economic Strategy to look at the country's growth prospects in relation to EU membership. If the enlarged European Union with 25 members is considered, the 70% level will have been achieved by 2005, said Mr Vintrova.

The study based its predictions on the Czech Republic's ability to maintain GDP growth 1.2-1.8% above the EU average combined with a sharper rise in labour productivity. Czech GDP now moderately exceeds 60% of the EU average, while in Hungary and Slovakia the figure is about 50%, in Poland and Estonia around 40% and in other candidate countries about 20-30%. Only Slovenia is currently over 70% of the EU average.