Classification of European Union countries and Turkey according to their macroeconomic performance indicators with fuzzy GRA-TRIL Zero method

Multi-Criteria Decision-Making (MCDM) methods are effectively utilized in decision-making processes by enabling the evaluation of multiple criteria, and they are widely applied in selection, ranking, and classification problems. This study focuses on the classification problem of MCDM. Within the scope of the study, the GRA-TRIL Zero classification method, developed based on the Grey Relational Analysis (GRA) methodology, has been extended using fuzzy numbers. Thus, the proposed method has gained the ability to provide solutions to decision-making processes under uncertainty. Subsequently, the validity and applicability of the method have been demonstrated through a comprehensive study addressing the macroeconomic performance of countries. In this context, the macroeconomic performance indicators of the European Union countries and Turkey were identified based on the literature, and the weights of each indicator were determined using the Stepwise Weight Assessment Ratio Analysis (SWARA) method by incorporating expert opinions. Using the obtained weights, both ranking and classification analyses were separately conducted through classical and fuzzy method applications based on Grey Relational Analysis. Thus, the validity of the method has been demonstrated, and detailed analyses specific to the European Union countries and Turkey have been obtained. The classification analysis conducted using the Fuzzy GRA-TRIL Zero method has provided an innovative approach that offers decision support under uncertainty in the evaluation of the economic performance of countries.