Tag: Europe

One would think that washing hands with soap and water would become second nature for everyone after the pandemic. Surprisingly, some countries still find it difficult to do this even after using the toilet.

Poland recorded the world's fastest growth in its ultra-high-net-worth individual (UHNWI) population over the past decade, with the number of residents holding at least US$10 million in net assets rising 109.2%, according to The Wealth Report 2026 published by global property consultancy Knight Frank.

Europe has supplied the largest share of the 32 teams that have already qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with UEFA accounting for 13 nations, according to FIFA's latest qualification standings.

Spain has emerged as Europe’s highest-ranking country for LGBT rights protections in 2025, according to Rainbow Map and Index published by advocacy group ILGA-Europe, highlighting widening differences in equality laws and protections across the continent.

The Eurovision Song Contest, widely promoted as a celebration of music and European unity, has repeatedly been disrupted by political tensions, diplomatic disputes and boycotts throughout its nearly 70-year history.

Press freedom remains sharply uneven worldwide in 2025, with Nordic countries maintaining their dominance at the top of global rankings, while dozens of nations continue to operate under constrained or reduced media conditions, according to the 2025 World Press Freedom Index published by Reporters Without Borders (RSF).

Nuclear energy remains the single largest source of electricity in the European Union. Still, rapid growth in wind and solar is reshaping the bloc’s energy mix, marking a decisive shift toward low-carbon power, according to recent industry and institutional data.

Asia accounts for the largest share of the global economy, contributing more than a third of world output, according to International Monetary Fund (IMF) data, underscoring the region’s central role in shaping global growth.

Cardiovascular disease is one of the leading causes of death across Europe, with the highest mortality rates concentrated in Eastern and Central European countries, according to data from Eurostat and the World Health Organisation (WHO).

Syrians and Moroccans accounted for the largest shares of new European Union citizenship recipients in 2024, according to newly compiled figures based on Eurostat data, highlighting persistent migration patterns driven by conflict, economic mobility, and regional ties.

Homes in Australia and the United States are among the largest in the world, according to international housing data, highlighting how geography, urban planning and lifestyle preferences shape residential living space across countries.

Global population growth is entering a new phase as the United Nations World Population Prospects projects that the world’s population will reach about 10.1 billion people by 2100, with almost all net growth coming from Africa, while Europe and parts of Asia decline.

Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation, is now giving birth to more babies each year than all of Europe plus Russia combined, a milestone that reflects profound global demographic change.

The Holocaust was not confined to one place or one population. It was a continent-wide genocide that erased Jewish communities across Europe, country by country, family by family.

When you look at a world map of naval power, almost all nations sail conventional warships and carriers. But only a tiny club of nations has mastered nuclear-powered aircraft carriers, massive ships that act as mobile airfields and can stay at sea for years without refuelling. What this really means is strategic reach and influence that most fleets can only dream of.

From casual hellos between friends to formal exchanges at family gatherings, cheek kissing remains one of the most recognisable and misunderstood forms of greeting worldwide.

Security used to feel distant for many Europeans because it could only be realised through alliances, treaties, and far-off capitals. That sense of distance is fading as a majority of Europeans now support the idea of a unified armed force.

The global economic recovery is set to remain uneven in 2026, with emerging economies driving growth while much of the developed world continues to slow.

Cinnamon feels universal. It shows up in kitchens from Accra to Amsterdam, in everything from breakfast oats to festive desserts. But behind that familiar warmth is a global trade that’s far more concentrated than most people realise.