Socioeconomic growth of EU countries: Key drivers, regional disparities, and lessons for Ukraine’s integration

Introduction: The study aims to analyze key factors shaping the socio-economic development of European regions by examining development models, economic indicators, and support tools. The object of the study is the socio-economic development of European regions and its comparison with similar processes in Ukraine. Methodology: The research methodology is based on the analysis of theoretical models of socio-economic development, index methods and comparative analysis on the example of European countries and Ukraine. Results and Discussion: The results show that the successful socio-economic development of European regions largely depends on sustainable development policies, innovation strategies, and investments in human capital Countries like Switzerland and Finland show the value of strong educational, environmental, and tech policies for sustainable development, while Ukraine faces challenges such as regional inequality and institutional reform. The analysis of EU policy has shown that regional support instruments, such as development funds and climate change adaptation, can be used to improve the situation in Ukraine as well. Conclusions: The practical significance of the study is that it provides recommendations for improving the effectiveness of Ukraine's economic policy in the context of European integration, including infrastructure modernization, human capital development, and adaptation to changing economic conditions.