Freedoms, well-being and climate
Europe lives longer, pollutes less and protects freedoms more than the United States or China. But those advantages are not equal across its countries, and some are eroding.
Between two giants
On democracy, health and climate, the EU fares better than both giants.
According to V-Dem, US democracy fell in 2025 to 0.57 out of 1, its lowest level this century and now below the EU median (0.74). China remains at the opposite end, at 0.04.
US democracy fell in 2025 to its lowest level this century, below the EU median
V-Dem liberal democracy index, from 0 (none) to 1 (full)
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People in the EU live 81.6 years on average, almost three more than in the US (78.9), where life expectancy has barely changed since 2010. China, at 78.0, has nearly caught up with the US.
People in the EU live almost three years longer than in the US, and China has nearly caught up with the US
Life expectancy at birth, in years
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On climate, each American emits 13.6 tonnes of CO₂ a year, more than twice as much as a European (5.5). A Chinese person now emits 9.3 tonnes: more than a European since 2012.
A Chinese person now emits more CO₂ than a European; an American, more than twice as much
CO₂ emissions per person, in tonnes a year (excluding land use change)
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Is Europe losing, or choosing?
Europe has chosen to cut emissions and protect its population more. Those are choices with costs.
The EU now emits 35% less CO₂ than in 1990. The United States, 7% less. China, more than five times as much. Part of Europe's cut comes from producing abroad many of the goods it consumes.
The EU emits 35% less CO₂ than in 1990. China, more than five times as much
Total CO₂ emissions, index 1990 = 100
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Public social spending is the other big difference. In 2022, France devoted 31.4% of its GDP to it; Italy, 28.2%; Germany, 27.7%; Spain, 26.0%. The US, 19.0%. But it is not a feature of the whole EU: Ireland, the Netherlands and several eastern countries spend less than the US.
France, Italy, Germany or Spain devote 7 to 12 more points of GDP to social spending than the US; several EU countries, less
Public social spending (pensions, health, unemployment, family...), as % of GDP
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Europe from within
The European average hides countries sliding back on democracy, with far more poverty or far behind on renewables.
Since 2010, democratic quality has fallen in 24 of the 27 EU countries. Hungary is the most severe case, followed by Greece, Slovenia and Poland. Spain has gone from 0.83 to 0.74.
Democratic quality has fallen since 2010 in 24 of the 27 EU countries, led by Hungary
V-Dem liberal democracy index, from 0 to 1, 2010 and 2025
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20.9% of Europeans are at risk of poverty or social exclusion. In Czechia, 11.5%; in Bulgaria, 29.0%. Spain, at 25.7%, has the fifth highest risk.
One in five Europeans is at risk of poverty or social exclusion; in Bulgaria, Greece or Romania, more than one in four
People at risk of poverty or social exclusion, as % of the population
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On renewables, Sweden (65%) and Finland (53%) are already well past the EU's 42.5% target for 2030. The EU as a whole is at 26%, like Spain, and Belgium does not reach 15%.
Sweden already gets two thirds of its energy from renewables; the EU, a quarter, far from its 2030 target
Renewable energy, as % of gross final energy consumption
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Notes on this theme
- One in six new cars in the EU is now electric, but the pace depends on the countryIn 2025, 17.3% of new cars in the EU were battery electric, up from 1.9% in 2019. In Denmark, 67.8%; in Spain, 8.7%; in Croatia, 1.9%.
- Housing has risen almost twice as much as inflation since 2015In the EU, buying a home costs 62% more than in 2015. In Hungary prices have multiplied by 3.7; in Finland they are slightly lower.
Other themes
- AI and digitalThe EU is adopting artificial intelligence faster than ever, but almost all the technology it uses is designed elsewhere.
- Trade and dependenciesFor decades the EU was the world's largest trading power. China has overtaken it, and Europe increasingly depends on others to buy and to sell.
- Productivity and growthThe EU weighs as much in the world economy as the United States, but it produces less per hour and much less per person. The question is how much of that gap is lagging behind and how much is choice.
- HealthThe EU spends far less on health than the US, and people live longer. Most of it is paid with public money, but each country differs in how many doctors it has and how much patients pay themselves.
- Money and paymentsThe euro area holds more cash relative to its economy than the US and China, but uses it less and less to pay. Cards are filling the gap, largely through non-European networks. The digital euro is the EU's bet to keep public money present in electronic payments.
- Housing and the cost of livingHousing has risen less in the euro area than in the US, and so have rents. Almost seven in ten Europeans live in a home they own, but those renting at market prices bear far higher costs, and the gaps between countries in cost and space are huge.
- EnergyThe EU uses less than half as much energy per person as the US, and China has now overtaken it. Its electricity relies far less on fossil fuels, but renewables cover only a quarter of all its energy, and industry pays considerably more for power than before the 2022 crisis.