Rich and poor in Europe

Brusssels is number three in the EU in terms of income per capita. The data show that its residents’ income is twice the European average. Inner London and the Luxembourg Duchy are number one and two. The former –Inner London – is a pretty rich corner of Europe. The average Londoner has an income that is more than three times the European average. In Luxembourg, the equivalent figure is about 2.5 times.

Bulgaria and Romania, on the other hand, remain at the bottom of the list. They are indeed very poor countries by European standards. The gap between them and the top three is abysmal. And it keeps growing for now.

Five good examples of development assistance

A brief note to put on record five good examples of commitment to international development assistance. In 2014 the following countries’ financial contributions to development assistance exceeded the agreed threshold of 0.7% of their GDP: United Kingdom, Denmark, Luxembourg, Norway and Sweden. Sweden, it should be added, was particularly generous. Its financial assistance to development programmes and projects reached 1.1% of its GDP.

These countries and 23 more make the Development Assistance Committee (DAC) of the OECD. The average contribution of the DAC countries to development, also in 2014, remained well below the target – the 0.7% figure – at a mere 0.29% of GDP. 

Europeans

The latest Eurobarometer survey results published yesterday show that the European citizens value above all the free movement of people, goods and services within the EU and the fact that peace has been kept in the Continent. 62% of those living in the Eurozone also believe that the common currency is a positive development. However, a large number (67%) think that their voice is not heard and counts for little when it comes to influencing European politics.

It is also curious to note that the rich Luxembourg feel very “European” (88% of people in the Grand Duchy say so) and the poor Greek have a very different opinion (only 44% feel as Europeans).  They are at the end of table.