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In this article, the authors analyze the interconnection between shadow economy and maritime sector development in coastal European countries. The article provides scientific analysis review of shadow economy and maritime sector, their importance and interconnection; and also examines the current trends of shadow economy and maritime sector in the selected countries. Additionally, the authors raise the hypothesis about the interconnectivity of shadow economy and maritime sector development, which are later tested using the regression model (based on the MIMIC methodology). Models aim to distinguish the relationship between shadow economy and the factors which impacts maritime sector development. The research results show that there is a significant relationship between shadow economy and main maritime sector impacts factors. During the research, the authors have identified that an increase of production value (operating profit), personnel costs and the number of employees in the companies operating in the maritime industry, will lead to decrease of shadow economy in coastal European countries. Furthermore, shadow economy decreases as weight handled in these countries’ ports increases. On the other hand, the research findings show that as the number of companies operating in the maritime industry and their turnover increase, the shadow economy could increase as well.

In this article the relationship between shadow economy and its’ determinants has been examined. Ten Eastern countries from European Union were chosen due to specific particularities, which may cause higher shadow economy levels in the investigated countries compared with the EU average. Time span of 2003-2016 was selected, as 2017 data has yet to be released at the time of the analysis. Article consists of examination of the current situation and shadow economy trends in Eastern European countries; overview of shadow economy scientific literature followed by hypothesis, which are examined by constructing regression models. Models aim to distinguish the relationship between selected determinants and shadow economy size. Scientific literature analysis revealed that increase of tax burden on labor is seen as a primary reason for the increase of shadow economy, however, such relation has not been identified. Furthermore, results show that unemployment and self-employed people ratio affect shadow economy insignificantly. This suggests that further analysis is needed. Nonetheless, regression model has not rejected the hypotheses of corruption level, income inequality, business freedom and GDP per capita effect on shadow economy. Thus, it can be stated that these variables are determinants of shadow economy in Eastern European countries.