The European Correspondent, April 2024
April 1, 2024
Data source: World Air Quality Report, IQAir
April 6, 2024
The increase in single-use packaging, such as plastic bottles, aluminium containers, or food wrappers has prompted increased regulations around packaging design and waste management in Europe. --- To combat this, the last major text of the European Green Deal was finalised just a month ago, aiming to increase both reuse and recycling rates.
Data source: Eurostat
April 12, 2024
Europe hosts some of the densest national railway networks in the world. However, the European Commission aims to increase cross-border train journeys by supporting new rail services and improving existing ones, including through building new rail infrastructure.
Data source: European Rail Campaign, Wikipedia
April 18, 2024
Marriage rates in Europe have generally been declining, with a noticeable drop in 2020 as countries were put into lockdowns due to the global COVID-19 pandemic. Only in 2022 did marriage rates see a resurgence. However, some countries have experienced different trends; Hungary, Romania, Latvia, and Lithuania had the highest marriage rates in 2020 and 2021.
Data source: Eurostat
April 20, 2024
European countries have experienced varying levels of strikes linked to different industries in the past years. Based on the most recent available data, France tops the European ranking in terms of days not worked. The pension reform strikes which started in 2019 and continued into 2020 have been one of the longest strikes in France’s modern history. However, other countries have had a strong presence on the picket lines, such as the United Kingdom and Finland.
Data source: European Trade Union Institute
April 26, 2024
While the Olympics are an opportunity for cities to invest in their infrastructure, some venues solely serve this global event. According to data from a study produced by the Olympic Studies Centre, about 67% of Olympics venues from European cities are still in use today, with the 1992 Barcelona Olympics accounting for the most venues, as well as the highest ratio of venues still used. While Paris is focusing on welcoming 10,000 athletes and tens of thousands of spectators this summer, the question is, will the 35 planned venues be used in future?
Data source: The Olympic Studies Centre, International Committee
April 29, 2024
While election preparation may have a catalyzing effect on passing legislation, the last elections in 2019 also showed a fruitful post-elections climate for adopting EU legal acts.
Data source: EUR-Lex
