We Love Europe... But Here's What Every EU Country Is the Worst At

[Janelle2002 3,865]

By Kate Peregrina

The European Union has 28 member countries. And kinda like Captain Planet, when their powers combine, they make for a pretty great place to live.

But that doesn’t mean each country is without its flaws. It’s like the Planeteer who controlled the element of Heart. Sure, he helped make Captain Planet. But he was the worst at getting haircuts.

Anyway, here’s what every European country is the worst at

Austria: Most youth smokers

For whatever reason, young Austrian people seem to think smoking is still cool, so they’re sucking down cigarettes. A LOT of cigarettes. Every day, 29.4% of Austrians age 15-24 inhale coffin nails.

Bulgaria: Least freedom of the press

According to Reporters without Borders, Bulgaria has the least freedom of the press in the European Union, and it ranked 87th on a list of 179 countries in the world. We’d badmouth Bulgaria more, but nobody there is probably reading this anyway.

The country with the most freedom of the press in the world? Finland, of course.

Cyprus: Fewest 18-year-olds in school

What are 18-year-olds in Cyprus doing? Well, not smoking as many cigarettes as their Austrian peers, or being killed by cars while cycling like the Dutch. But they’re definitely not going to school as much, either. But if you were surrounded by that Mediterranean climate, you probably wouldn’t want to be in school, either.

Czech Republic: Worst modern slavery haven

The movie Taken should have taken place in the Czech Republic, end of story.

Estonia: Biggest gender pay gap

In Estonia, women make 27.3% less than their male counterparts. Even in a place thought of as being really macho, like Italy, the difference is only 5.8%. Women’s wages in Estonia are more unfair than the rules of Monopoly.

Finland: Highest depression rate (Wealth doesn't equal happiness? )

Finland is really good at a lot of things—like that “whole freedom of the press” deal. But depression is pretty prevalent; if you were that far north, you’d probably get depressed by all the cold weather, too. Fortunately, Finland’s suicide rate is no where near Lithuania’s.

Greece: Highest foreign debt

This one just edged out “Country with hairiest arms”. As of the end of 2013, Greece’s foreign debt was 130.3% of its GDP. Translation: that’s really bad.

Ireland: Highest rate of cystic fibrosis

Ireland has the highest rate of cystic fibrosis, at a rate of 1 case per 1,800 births. You can’t really joke about something like that.

Italy: Most tax evasion

Is it any coincidence that Al Capone was finally pinched for tax evasion, while the birthplace of the mob has the highest percentage of unreported economic activity of any European Union country? Probably not; the mob and tax evasion go hand in hand. It’s estimated that $239 billion USD are lost in unpaid Italian taxes per year. That’s billion, with a B.

Latvia: Highest percentage of prisoners

Latvia has the highest percentage of its population in prison, with 305 per 100,000 inhabitants locked up. And yet, despite that mind-boggling figure, it’s only half of the rate in the United States, which sits at 716 per 100,000.

Lithuania: Highest suicide rate

Lithuania’s suicide rate is so high, it’s nearly 10 times higher than Greece’s. What is going on in Lithuania?

https://www.yahoo.com/travel/what-every-european-union-country-is-the-worst-at-102990636372.html

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

You forgot a few. Gotta love this one:

Germany: Lowest homeownership rate

Germans aren’t particularly interested in owning their own homes… probably because they already own most of Spain and Greece.

[Janelle2002 3,865]

You forgot a few. Gotta love this one:

Germany: Lowest homeownership rate

Germans aren’t particularly interested in owning their own homes… probably because they already own most of Spain and Greece.

Really? I thought not owning a home was a show of financial mismanagement and low salaries. At least, that's how they make you feel in the U.S. anyway.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Really? I thought not owning a home was a show of financial mismanagement and low salaries. At least, that's how they make you feel in the U.S. anyway.

Not necessarily. Home ownership is not a big deal in Germany. Many people rent a place and live there practically their whole life. No big deal. But Germans like to vacation - some of the busiest travelers on earth. Lots of them own vacation properties - not just in Europe but even in this area.

[Janelle2002 3,865]

Not necessarily. Home ownership is not a big deal in Germany. Many people rent a place and live there practically their whole life. No big deal. But Germans like to vacation - some of the busiest travelers on earth. Lots of them own vacation properties - not just in Europe but even in this area.

Must be a more relaxing life style.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Must be a more relaxing life style.

In a nutshell, the main difference between the US and Germany is that Germans work to live while Americans live to work.

Believe that's true for most of Europe.