Greece often gets a bad wrap in the European Union, however each of the 28 member states have their own weaknesses.
Austria: Most Youth Smokers
Greeks have a bad reputations, but sadly enough 29.4% of young Austrians have a smoking habit.
Belgium: Worst Traffic Congestion
Brussels and Antwerp – both in Belgium – are the most traffic-congested cities in the world.
Bulgaria: Least Freedom of the Press
Reporters Without Borders say that Bulgarian journalists face more censorship than anywhere else in Europe. Bulgaria ranked 87th out of 179, however it’s status as worst might change if Turkey ever enters the EU.
Croatia: Least Erasmus Participation
Young Croatians have the least participation in Erasmus, Europe’s university exchange program.
Cypurs: Fewest 18-year-olds in School
They may not be the worst smokers, but they have less people continuing their education.
Czech Republic: Worst Modern Slavery Haven
The Global Slavery Index is worried about human trafficking in this area of Europe. The 2012 documentary entitled “The Tree Workers Case” exposes what has been labelled as the biggest case of labor exploitation ever to have taken place in Europe in the last two decades. The film focuses on the case of over 2,000 workers, mainly from Vietnam, who were forced to work under very harsh conditions for the Czech Republic’s state forestry firm, Lesy ČR.
Denmark: Fewest Zaras per Capita
There are only two Zara stores in the entire country which means 2.8 million Danes per store. God forbid!
Estonia: Biggest Gender Pay Gap
Women make 27.3% less than men.
Finland: Highest Depression Rate
Liberty and quality of life may be great but a lot of people get depressed as a result of the cold weather and lack of sunshine so far up north.
France: Lowest English Proficiency
In this case, France does live up to its reputation!
Germany: Lowest Homeownership Rate
They don’t care that they don’t own their own homes, possibly because they all by up land at bargain rates on Greek islands!
Greece: Highest Foreign Debt
In 2013 the country’s foreign debt was 130.3% of the GDP
Hungary: Highest Value Added Tax (VAT)
The standard rate of VAT is 27%
Ireland: Highest Rate of Cystic Fibrosis
The ratio for cystic fibrosis in Ireland is 1:1,800 births
Italy: Most Tax Evasion
The mafia and tax evasion go hand in hand with the black market turnover at $239 USD per year.
Latvia: Highest Percentage of Prisoners
There are 305 prisoners per 100,000 inhabitants
Lithuania: Highest Suicide Rate
The Finns are the most depressed, the Greeks may be the most broke, but its the Lithuanians taking their lives. In fact, a Lithuanian citizen is ten times more likely to end his life than a Greek citizen.
Luxembourg: Lowest Education Spending
Only 3.15% of the country’s GDP went to fund public education.
Malta: Hardest Country to Open a Business
It outranks Greece in disorganization according to a list of 189 countries compiled by the World Bank
Netherlands: Highest Percentage of Cyclists Killed in Road Accidents
This could be because so many of them ride bicycles in the first place.
Poland: Fewest Doctors Per Capita
Don’t get sick in Poland.
Portugal: Lowest Crude Birth Rate
Portugal has just 7.9 births per 1,000 people.
Romania: Fewest Cinemas Per Capita
There is just one cinema for every 3.8 million citizens.
Slovakia: Lowest Voter Turnout
Only 13.05% of the population shows up to vote. In Belgium its 89.64%.
Slovenia: Most Alcoholism Deaths
Excess
Spain: Highest Dropout Rate
23.5% of the students in Spain don’t complete their basic education.
Sweden: Fewest Hospital Beds Per Capita
This could be because they don’t get sick.
UK: Highest Cocaine Usage
Cocaine use in the UK is so common that traces of the drug can be found in the country’s drinking water according to inspections of tap water at four different sites.
