Surprising truths about the EU’s 28 countries: Czech Republic still has slavery, French have the worst English

By Rita

Many people’s impression of Europe is castles, coffee, luxury brands, and an omnipresent artistic vibe. According to a Thrillist investigation, althougheach of the EU’s 28 countries has its own cultural strengths, the social issues hidden beneath the surface may not be as visible, and are definitely worth deeper consideration for travelers drawn to European culture. The following is thecontentof this report.

▲ How much do you know about the EU’s 28 countries? (Image / Screenshot fromthrillist)

Austria: Highest teen smoking rate
For some reason, many young Austrians think smoking is cool. The smoking rate among 15–24-year-olds is as high as 29.4%.

Belgium: Worst traffic congestion
When you try to cross the city center, it might take long enough for you to eat ten Belgian waffles in your car. The world’s most congested cities, Brussels and Antwerp, are both in Belgium.

Bulgaria: Lowest media and publishing freedom
(Which country has the freest media? Finland.)

Croatia: Lowest participation in Erasmus Program
Because Croatia only officially joined the EU in July 2013.

Cyprus: 18-year-olds not in school
Maybe living in a Mediterranean climate just makes people less motivated to go to school.

Czech Republic: Still has slavery

Denmark: Fewest Zara stores
There are only two Zara stores (Spanish fashion brand) in the whole country.

Estonia: Largest gender wage gap
Women in Estonia earn on average about 27.3% less than men, an inequality level that even surpasses monopolistic corporations.

Finland: Highest depression rates
Depression is very common in Finland, possibly due to its northern location and harsh climate, but fortunately the suicide rate is lower than in Lithuania.

France: Worst English skills
No one is probably surprised by this—French people are just like that, eating their soft cheese bread while saying “I don’t care!” in French.

Germany: Few people own their own homes
Maybe they’ve already bought too many houses in Spain and Greece.

Greece: Highest External Debt
Not all that surprising. By the end of 2013, Greece's external debt had reached 130.3% of its GDP.

Hungary: Highest VAT Rate
Hungary’s VAT is around 27%, one of the highest general tax rates.

Ireland: Cystic Fibrosis in Newborns
A genetic disorder becoming increasingly common in Ireland, with one case per 1,800 newborns on average.

Italy: Mass Tax Evasion
Estimated tax losses amount to over two trillion US dollars annually.

Latvia: Highest Prisoner Rate
With 305 prisoners per 100,000 people, although high, this number is only half of the United States’.

Lithuania: Highest Suicide Rate
Lithuania has an extremely high suicide rate, nearly ten times that of Greece.

Luxembourg: Lowest Expenditure on Education
In 2007, Luxembourg spent only 3.15% of its GDP on social education funding.

Malta: Hardest Country to Start a Business
Ranked 161st out of 189 countries in the World Bank’s ease of doing business index.

Netherlands: Highest Bicycle Accident Rate
Possibly related to the high proportion of bicycle users.

Poland: Very Few Doctors

Portugal: Lowest Birth Rate
With only about 7.9 newborns per 1,000 residents, just half that of Ireland.

Romania: Very Few Cinemas
There are only 3.8 cinemas for every million Romanian residents.
(The Czech Republic has the most, with 49.2 cinemas per million residents)

Slovakia: Lowest Voter Turnout
Almost no Slovaks are willing to vote, with only 13.05% of the population participating.
(The highest turnout is in Belgium, with 89.64% of the population voting)

Slovenia: High Deaths from Alcohol Poisoning

Spain: Highest School Dropout Rate
23.5% of the national population does not complete compulsory education.

Sweden: The fewest hospital beds

UK: The highest cocaine use
The UK also has higher usage of the other three drugs compared to other EU countries: amphetamines, ecstasy, and LSD.