The role of multi-criteria decision-making in improving circular economy performances: European context

This paper evaluates circular-economy performance across selected European countries using Eurostat indicators: resource productivity, waste generation (excluding major mineral wastes), waste per capita, recycling rate, and municipal waste per capita using two MCDM methods: PROMETHEE and ARAS. The methodological design enables ranking of alternatives, visualization of trade-offs among criteria, and identification of dominance directions. Findings consistency has shown Sweden as the top performer (maximum utility and the highest aggregate score), whereas Western Balkan countries lag due to lower recycling rates and higher per-capita waste. Several mid-developed economies exhibit stable profiles and can serve as reference models. Policy implications emphasize scaling recycling capacity, improving resource productivity, strengthening waste-management systems, and aligning with the EU framework through targeted funding and improved institutional coordination.