The Statistics 15 Things to Know about The European Union

GDP: 24,700 PPS Largest in the world The standard of living overall is rated 3 rd in the world, according to GDP statistics The GDP is growing rapidly in poorer EU countries, lowering the rich and poor gap 60% of the GDP is generated through the service sector –Industry and agriculture has declined

The GDP wealth gap The highest earning GDP is Luxembourg –At 52.3 billion The lowest GDP is Bulgaria –At billion

Education The education system varies in each nation, but there is no longer a wide gender gap

Education in Germany Students attend Kindergarten till age 6 From 1 st to 4 th grade, all students attend elementary school’s based on region or privatization In 4 th grade, students are separated into Three-part system

Gymnasium Students attend till grade 13 and this level prepares them for university Students follows three tracks, classical language, modern language and mathematical-natural science.

Realschule Grades 5-10 Graduates attend a vocational schools, full time or part-time If students do well enough, it is possible to join a gymnasium –Allows for any student who feels misplaced to determine their future education and job

Hauptschule Grades 5-9 in most German states Same courses are taught as in the other schools, but at a slower rate Focus on part-time vocational training Students apprenticeship until the age of 18 Students do not attend college, but rather focus directly on a career

Education in Sweden Mandatory from grades 1-9 From age 1-6, children can attend preschool Three types of schools –Municipal –Free schools –Private Secondary school, called gymnasieskola is optional, students attend for 3 or more years –Students study one of 17 national programs (majors)

Military The military is a collaboration of armies, navies and air forces from some of the 27 countries on the EU It has very little power Each country has it’s own military system

Economy

Unemployment

Population The European Union has a total of 495 million people Today, more immigrants make up the growth rate than births per women. In fact, Germany, Greece and Italy would have a falling population if not for immigration.

Birthrate In the European Union –Avg. of 1.5 birth’s per woman (as of 2004) –Overall, the birthrate is dropping, 1950s: avg. birthrate of 3 birth’s per woman –It is continuing to drop in developed countries –Immigrants keep the population growing

Trade

Transportation 3/4s of all travel is by automobile The Eurorail –Allows for transportation throughout Europe, for a reasonable price –Ex. You can travel from Rome, Italy to Venice, Italy to Zermont, Switzerland in about seven hours

Cars in the EU Smaller than American cars Generally are more gas efficient Public transportation, walking and bikes are more popular for very short distances