The Latest Breaking News from Eurostat

EU countries spent €343.2 billion on defence in 2024, with Germany and France together accounting for 44% of this total.

General poverty levels have been falling across the bloc, but not everywhere.

Defence research and development spending in the EU has risen by 90% over the past five years. Experts link this surge to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

With pensions, social housing, unemployment benefits, medical care, and disability support, Europe has among the best social protections in the world. But which EU countries are the most generous when it comes to public spending?

Eurozone GDP barely grew in the third quarter of 2025, rising just 0.2% as the wider EU posted similarly weak gains and unemployment remained flat. New business registrations increased, but a sharp rise in bankruptcies across key consumer-facing sectors could highlight a market under pressure.

The share of workers earning the minimum wage differs sharply across Europe. The European Commission is calling for fair and adequate pay to guarantee a decent standard of living.

The average full-time salary in the EU was €39,800 in 2024, according to Eurostat, showing increases in each country.

Electricity and natural gas prices for households have diverged sharply across Europe in 2025, with some countries facing bills several times higher than others, according to new Eurostat data.

The EU’s population is expected to peak at around 453 million in 2026, before beginning a gradual decline. By 2100, if migration remains at zero, Eurostat projects that the EU’s population will have fallen by 34%, significantly affecting the labour force.