Online banking has become the norm in many parts of the EU, with countries like Denmark, the Netherlands and Finland leading the way as more than 90 percent of people handle their finances digitally.

Liechtenstein became the most recent country in Europe to allow same-sex couples to marry. This visual shows the year in which each European country introduced marriage equality. The Netherlands was the first in the world to do so in 2001, setting a precedent that many others would follow.

Commission President Ursula von der Leyen delivered her 2025 State of the Union speech, framing it as Europe’s “Independence Moment.” She warned that the continent faces an unforgiving world shaped by war, shifting power blocs, and rising costs of living.

Russia’s hostility toward Europe reaches far beyond Ukraine. Sabotage attacks against undersea cables, dams or satellite systems illustrate how the Kremlin seeks to destabilize the continent by targeting its critical infrastructure.

Do you think the EU’s voice counts in the world? A new Eurobarometer survey shows that most Europeans believe the EU’s voice counts on the world stage. On average, 71% across the member states agree with this statement, while 27% disagree. The numbers, however, vary widely from country to country.

In 2024, 8.5% of people in EU households could not afford a meal containing meat, fish, or a vegetarian equivalent every other day.

Who are Europe’s biggest dog lovers? In Hungary, every second household lives with a dog, while Poland and Romania are not far behind. Western Europe paints a different picture: in France and Germany, only about one in five households counts a dog as part of the family.

For the first time, all 32 NATO members are projected to meet the 2 percent of GDP benchmark for defence in 2025, according to figures released on 28 August 2025.

Can you imagine your life without the internet? For most people, the internet has become as essential as the air we breathe, shaping nearly every aspect of our daily lives.

Denmark plans to abolish its 25% VAT on books, the highest rate in the world, in an effort to tackle what officials call a growing “reading crisis.” The government hopes that lower prices will encourage more people, especially children, to pick up books.

Ever wondered why the UK is +44, France +33 or why some countries only received their own codes decades later? Europe’s telephone numbers carry a hidden history of politics, power and technology.

Diplomacy was on display at the White House as Donald Trump met with Volodymyr Zelensky and European leaders in an effort to push forward negotiations on ending Russia’s war in Ukraine. The talks presented a largely united front, but left many key issues unresolved.

Who is Europe’s recycling champion? In 2022, municipal waste recycling rates in Europe varied widely, from 69 percent in Germany to 0 percent in North Macedonia. Nine countries managed to recycle more than half of their municipal waste, while several others remained far below that level.

Three decades ago, rejection of homosexuality was common across Europe. While the figure remains high in some places, it has decreased in every European country since then.

Europe remains the least repressive region for workers overall, yet the 2025 ITUC Global Rights Index shows a clear slide. The region has fallen to its worst score since the index began in 2014, and more than half of European countries now restrict access to justice.

Foreign workers in the EU are far more likely than nationals to end up in jobs that fail to match their qualifications. This chart shows the share of university-educated people working in low or medium-skilled occupations, a stark indicator of wasted skills.

Have you ever mixed up flags? No wonder - some flags are quite similar. In this overview you will find a selection of flags that are similar to at least one European flag.  Which flags would you add to this list?

How long is a 15-year-old in the EU expected to work? The answer varies widely across the continent.

Several European countries, including Spain, Ireland and Norway, recognised Palestine last year, marking a shift that now appears to be accelerating.

Gender equality varies widely across Europe. According to the 2025 Gender Gap Index, Iceland, Finland and Norway rank highest, each closing more than 85 percent of their gender gaps.

This graphic reveals more than just numbers. It shows a long-standing trade imbalance between the U.S. and the European Union, one Donald Trump has repeatedly used to justify tariffs.

France is set to become the first G7 country to formally recognize the State of Palestine. In a statement released Thursday evening, President Emmanuel Macron declared that France would act “consistent with its historic commitment to a just and lasting peace in the Middle East.”

This map highlights the most popular type of alcohol in various European countries, measured by per capita consumption in litres of pure alcohol among individuals aged 15 and older. The data, sourced from the World Health Organization, reflects consumption patterns as of 2020.

Europe continues to show stark contrasts when it comes to investment in rail infrastructure. In 2024, Germany raised its spending to a record €198 per capita—an increase of more than 70% compared to the previous year.

Which destinations are attracting the most international visitors in 2024? According to the latest figures from the UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), global tourism has returned to pre-pandemic levels.

In 2024, just 23.6% of the nearly 202 million private households in the EU had children. The highest shares were in Slovakia, Ireland and Cyprus, while Finland, Lithuania and Germany reported the lowest.

Energy dependency reflects how much a country relies on energy imports to meet its needs. In 2023, the EU’s average dependency rate stood at 58.3%, meaning nearly three fifths of all energy came from abroad.

Public opinion across Europe shows a growing willingness to welcome the UK back into the EU. Majorities in France, Germany, Italy, and Spain support the idea of the UK rejoining the bloc. Meanwhile, within the UK itself, more people now see Brexit as a mistake and back rejoining the EU.

Which EU countries pay the most for electricity? In the second half of 2024, German households faced the highest electricity prices at €0.394 per kilowatt-hour — 37 percent above the EU average of €0.287. Denmark and Ireland followed with similarly high rates.

This map shows a handful of European countries where the capital is not the country’s most populous city. While capitals are often assumed to be the largest urban centres, these examples show that political and demographic hubs don’t always align:

A large majority of Europeans continue to view climate change as a serious global threat. According to the latest EU-wide survey, 85 percent of respondents consider it a serious problem, and 81 percent support the EU’s goal of reaching climate neutrality by 2050.

She’s got the degree. He’s got the job. In 2024, the gender gap in employment across the EU stood at 10 percentage points: 80.8% of working-age men (20–64) were employed, compared to 70.8% of women. This gap persists despite significant progress made by women in the field of education.

Although there are many terrible events happening worldwide right now, it’s all the more important to take a moment to look at the good news. Here is a selection of 4 good news from across Europe:

For the first time in five years, the Tour de France returns entirely to its home country. The 112th edition kicks off on July 5 in Lille and concludes on July 27 on the iconic Champs-Elysées in Paris, after 21 stages and 3,339 kilometers.

The UEFA Women’s EURO kicks off today, bringing together 16 national teams from across Europe in a tournament that continues to grow in visibility, ambition and expectations. For many, it’s more than just football – it’s a reflection of how gender equality in sport is progressing.

Every six months, the presidency of the Council of the European Union rotates among EU members. This infographic shows who holds the presidency in succession from one half-year to the next.

40 years after its official introduction, the European flag with twelve gold stars on blue remains one of the most widely recognised symbols on the continent.

Europe connected 16.4 GW of new wind power in 2024, with the EU-27 contributing 12.9 GW. Onshore wind led the way, making up 84 percent of the new capacity.

For many across Europe, summer marks the season for taking a break. After months of hard work, the next few weeks provide an opportunity to relax, with large numbers traveling to beautiful destinations to enjoy the sunshine. How does your country compare?

More and more European countries are adopting the "only yes means yes" model — a legal shift that puts affirmative consent at the center of sexual offence laws.

On the day the NATO summit begins in The Hague, allies are preparing to endorse a significant shift in defense policy. Leaders are expected to agree that each member state should spend 5 % of GDP on defense and security related investments, a major increase from the long standing 2 % benchmark.

Spain, Sweden and Romania recorded the highest youth unemployment rates in the EU in 2024.

How will the EU population develop by 2100? One thing is clear - the population in the EU is ageing!  The EU's population pyramid for 2023 shows a long life expectancy, low death and birth rates. The largest age group is over 50, while the shares of young people below 20 are noticeably smaller.

In 2023, women made up an overwhelming 95.3% of all pre-primary teachers in the EU. Countries like Romania, Slovakia and Hungary led the way, each with over 99% female representation. Even at the lower end, the Netherlands, France and Denmark still reported rates above 87%.

As Schengen turns 40 this month, its promise of borderless travel is facing serious strain. Once a symbol of unity and freedom of movement, Europe’s border-free zone is showing cracks. Temporary controls, once rare exceptions, are now increasingly common.

As G7 leaders gather in Canada’s Rockies, unity feels far from certain. Host Prime Minister Mark Carney had hoped to focus on economic cooperation and global security.

The hot temperatures have arrived in large parts of Europe. How about cooling down by the water? But where is the bathing quality the best?  Here is a infographic showing you the proportion of bathing waters with excellent quality in 2023.

Did you know that there are only two countries in the world that have a square flag? And both are in Europe. Only Switzerland and Vatican City have flags that stand out from all the others due to their square shape.

In 2023, the EU recorded an average of 8.2 live births per 1,000 inhabitants. Cyprus topped the list with 11.1, followed by Ireland (10.3) and France (9.9). At the bottom were Italy (6.4), Spain (6.7), and Greece (6.8), reflecting stark regional contrasts in family formation across the EU.

The European Commission and the European Central Bank have formally endorsed Bulgaria’s bid to adopt the euro, stating the country meets the necessary convergence criteria.