Alarming Trends Unveiled: The Growing Poverty in Europe

Once envied for its prosperity, Europe now finds itself grappling with a reality where its citizens are becoming poorer. The consequences of this economic downturn are being felt across the continent. In France, customers are buying less foie gras and wine. Spaniards are using olive oil sparingly, and Finnish households are being encouraged to use saunas only on windy days when wind power is at its peak. Even Germany, Europe's largest economy, has seen a significant decline in purchasing power for meat and dairy products, with the organic food market experiencing a significant slump.

One notable event that epitomizes the economic struggles faced by Europeans occurred in May 2023 when Italy's economic development minister, Adolfo Urso, had to convene a meeting to discuss the soaring price of pasta. The staple food of the Italian people had seen its prices more than double the national average inflation rate. This serves as a stark reminder of the increasing cost of living, further exacerbating the economic woes faced by Europeans.

The instability of the European economy can be attributed to a combination of factors. A rapidly aging population, a culture of work-life balance, and government policies focused on employment rather than income have all contributed to a deceleration in economic growth and lackluster labor productivity in Europe. The COVID-19 pandemic and the lingering Ukraine conflict have only exacerbated these issues, revealing the weaknesses in Europe's economy after years of smoldering tensions.

One significant aspect of Europe's plight is the lack of supportive policies aimed at consumers, leaving them with limited cash amid rising prices and inflation shocks. In contrast, the United States has successfully taken measures to cool down energy prices and provide direct cash aid, ensuring the maintenance of purchasing power in the market. These divergent approaches have further widened the gap between the two regions.

Traditionally, economic crises in Europe were often alleviated by strong export performance. However, the slow recovery of the Chinese market post-pandemic has weakened this lifeline. High energy costs and rampant inflation, unseen since the 1970s, have eroded the competitive advantage of European exporters, disrupting the balance between businesses and workers. Consequently, the export sector, which constitutes 50% of the euro area GDP compared to only 10% in the US, has become a weak point in Europe's economy.

According to data from the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), personal consumption in the eurozone countries fell by 1% after adjusting for inflation, while in the US, it increased by nearly 9% due to a stable labor market and rising incomes. Furthermore, over the past 15 years, the European Union's share of global consumption has decreased from about 20% to only 18%, while the US has increased to 28%.

These economic challenges have hit the middle class the hardest. In Brussels, one of Europe's wealthiest cities, teachers and nurses queue up in the afternoons to buy half-priced soon-to-expire food from trucks. Food-saving businesses have flourished as people struggle to make ends meet amidst surging inflation. Apps like TooGoodToGo, Sirplus in Germany, and Motatos in Sweden have gained popularity, offering leftover food at discounted prices.

The decreased purchasing power, along with an aging population and limited labor resources, has made Europe less attractive to businesses and investors. Major corporations, ranging from consumer goods companies like P&G to luxury brands like LVMH, are increasingly turning their focus to the US and Chinese markets. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) reveals that the Eurozone economy has only grown by 6% in dollar terms over the past 15 years, significantly lower than the US's growth of 82%. This has left Europeans poorer on average than residents of all US states except Idaho and Mississippi.

Even in the tourism sector, Europeans find themselves undervalued compared to American tourists. For example, in the popular Mediterranean destination of Mallorca, the average American tourist spends up to 260 euros ($292) per day on a hotel room, whereas Europeans accept less than 180 euros. This discrepancy further demonstrates the economic disparities between the two regions.

The weakened demand, slower growth, and higher interest rates implemented to combat inflation have also had adverse effects on Europe's social security segment. These circumstances have contributed to social and geopolitical upheaval throughout European societies. In an attempt to address these challenges, Europe has resorted to familiar tactics but with little success. Huge sums of money, up to 750 billion euros, have been directed towards supporting consumers and businesses, including tax reductions and subsidies to alleviate the burden of rising energy prices. However, these actions have inadvertently fueled inflation and eroded the effectiveness of the subsidies. Furthermore, public spending cuts, a consequence of the 2008 global financial crisis, have left crucial services like public health underfunded and struggling to meet the needs of the population.

In light of these difficulties, Bank of England (BoE) economist Huw Pill has cautioned people in Europe to accept the reality of their diminishing wealth and forego requesting wage increases. According to Pill, such actions would only drive inflation higher and worsen the economic situation. Additionally, the ongoing Ukraine conflict has forced European governments to increase defense spending, raise interest rates, and cope with budget deficits to support the post-pandemic economy. These factors have led many economists to predict the likelihood of tax increases, further burdening individuals and businesses.

A key source of discontentment within Europe lies in the unequal tax rates when compared to other developed economies. Tax rates in Europe are reportedly much higher, accounting for 40-45% of GDP, while the US only allocates 27% of GDP to taxes. American workers take home three-quarters of their income after taxes and social security, whereas the French and Germans retain only half. Unions, after decades of decline, have been reignited by this disparity, rallying workers across Europe to fight for their rights. Ironically, the concept of the four-day workweek, work-life balance, and self-care, which had gained popularity in recent years, has become a contentious topic amid the economic downturn and high inflation. In the face of rising prices, unemployment, and falling incomes, many workers are demanding wage increases, even if it means working overtime. However, businesses and governments resist this approach due to the potential for increased inflation, instead proposing reduced working hours as a compromise.

The people of Europe find themselves in the midst of difficult times, an experience unfamiliar to many in recent history.