From core to margins: how spatial inequality shapes crisis resilience across Turkish regions

Regional economies differ substantially in their structural composition, institutional capacity, and socio-economic characteristics, leading to divergent responses to economic shocks. Yet, the role of spatial inequalities in shaping these outcomes remains underexplored, particularly in developing countries where such imbalances are more severe and persistent. This study examines regional economic resilience in Turkey through a spatial lens, employing spatial econometric techniques and resistance and recovery indices across 81 provinces. The analysis reveals pronounced spatial heterogeneity and underscores the importance of structural factors in shaping resilience trajectories. The findings provide a multi-scalar, place-based understanding of economic resilience within the context of a developing economy.