Life in Europe is just better
Today is my last post before my usual extended summer break.
As I take a well-deserved break before my extended summer hiatus, I find myself reflecting on the differences in quality of life between the United States and Europe. Throughout the spring, economist Paul Krugman made a compelling case that Americans should not assume their standard of living surpasses that of Europeans. He argued that using GDP per capita in US dollars to measure well-being is an oversimplification and misleading.
To dive deeper into this issue, I turn to a recent study conducted by the European Commission that compares a wider array of indicators of well-being between the US and the EU. While some Americans might dismiss this study as biased, I intend to ponder its findings during my upcoming European vacation, savoring the local cuisine, natural beauty, and rich culture.
Upon my return, I plan to address any criticisms while eagerly anticipating the remaining weeks of my 2026 vacation leave. The European Commission expanded its assessment of well-being beyond just GDP and productivity, incorporating factors such as disposable income, housing affordability, employment rates, healthcare accessibility, pollution levels, and self-reported life satisfaction.
Surprisingly, this broader measure of well-being saw a significant 9.5% increase from 2014 to 2025 in the EU, compared to a mere 1.2% rise in the US during the same period. Furthermore, the Commission delved even deeper by examining 42 additional indicators, including sustainability measures, economic resilience, inequality, and the quality of institutions.
The index of sustainable and inclusive well-being saw a 4% uptick in the EU since 2010, but experienced a slight decline of 0.5% in the US over the same time frame.
Written by urgent.news from Klement on Investing's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
