Economic integration is a term used to describe how different aspects between economies are integrated. The basics of this theory were written by the Hungarian Economist Béla Balassa in the 1960s. As economic integration increases, the barriers of trade between markets diminishes. The most integrated economy today, between independent nations, is the European Union and its euro zone.

The degree of economic integration can be categorized into six stages:

1. Preferential trading area
2. Free trade area
3. Customs union
4. Common market
5. Economic and monetary union
6. Complete economic integration

See also

• List of international trade topics
• Trade pact
• Trade bloc

International trade | Integració econòmica | Ekonomická integrace | Wirtschaftliche Integration | Economische integratie | Hội nhập kinh tế