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{{cquote|There are, for example, many more Europeans out of work than Americans; over the past decade, US unemployment has averaged 4.6 per cent, compared with 9.2 per cent for the EU. Another difference is in labour participation. Between 1973 and 1998, the percentage of the American population in employment rose from 41 to 49 per cent. But in Germany and France, the equivalent percentage fell to, respectively, 44 and 39 per cent.<ref>[http://www.telegraph.co.uk/comment/personal-view/3609338/The-atheist-sloth-ethic-or-why-Europeans-dont-believe-in-work.html The atheist sloth ethic, or why Europeans don't believe in work] by Niall Ferguson, The Telegraph, 2004</ref>}}

{{cquote|There are, for example, many more Europeans out of work than Americans; over the past decade, US unemployment has averaged 4.6 per cent, compared with 9.2 per cent for the EU. Another difference is in labour participation. Between 1973 and 1998, the percentage of the American population in employment rose from 41 to 49 per cent. But in Germany and France, the equivalent percentage fell to, respectively, 44 and 39 per cent.<ref>[http://www.telegraph.co.uk/comment/personal-view/3609338/The-atheist-sloth-ethic-or-why-Europeans-dont-believe-in-work.html The atheist sloth ethic, or why Europeans don't believe in work] by Niall Ferguson, The Telegraph, 2004</ref>}}

[[File:Flag of Sweden.png|thumbnail|left|200px|In 2014, Sweden's new Social Democrat prime minister Stefan Loefven said, "Sweden is in a serious situation -- unemployment has become entrenched at high levels, school results have collapsed and the welfare system has major shortcomings".<ref>[http://www.afp.com/en/news/new-feminist-government-green-tinge-sweden New 'feminist' government with a Green tinge in Sweden]</ref>]]

[[File:Flag of Sweden.png|thumbnail|left|200px|In 2014, Sweden's new Social Democrat prime minister Stefan Loefven said, "Sweden is in a serious situation -- unemployment has become entrenched at high levels, school results have collapsed and the welfare system has major shortcomings".<ref>[http://www.afp.com/en/news/new-feminist-government-green-tinge-sweden New 'feminist' government with a Green tinge in Sweden]</ref>]]

In addition, one the significant causes of Europe's economic stagnation is an aging population and the low fertility rates in many European countries.<ref>[http://www.forbes.com/sites/joelkotkin/2012/05/30/whats-really-behind-europes-decline-its-the-birth-rates-stupid/ What's Really Behind Europe's Decline? It's The Birth Rates, Stupid], ''Forbes'' magazine,  5/30/2012</ref>

 

Aging populations in secular Europe/[[Japan]] and sub-replacement fertility rates is leading to economic stagnation in those regions (see: [[Atheism and sloth#Atheistic societies, low fertility rates and the work associated with raising children|Atheistic societies, low fertility rates and the work associated with raising children]]).<ref>[http://www.forbes.com/sites/joelkotkin/2012/05/30/whats-really-behind-europes-decline-its-the-birth-rates-stupid/ What's Really Behind Europe's Decline? It's The Birth Rates, Stupid], ''Forbes'' magazine,  5/30/2012

*[http://www.reuters.com/article/us-japan-economy-population-idUSKCN0T113A20151112 Japan targets boosting birth rate to increase growth]</ref> ''Reuters'' reported in 2015, "Japan plans to include steps to raise the birth rate, such as easier access to childcare and tax incentives, in a package of reforms due this month to tackle the biggest bottleneck to economic growth."<ref>[http://www.reuters.com/article/us-japan-economy-population-idUSKCN0T113A20151112 Japan targets boosting birth rate to increase growth]</ref>

The regions of [[secular Europe]] which are performing better than the rest of Europe often have a cultural legacy of the Protestant work ethic. For example, a 2011 ''Telegraph'' article noted: "Either way, not a single Protestant or Germanic EU country has so far needed a bailout."<ref>[http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/edwest/100116846/yet-another-catholic-country-needs-a-bailout-from-the-protestant-north/ Another Catholic country needs a bailout]</ref> The Protestant [[Reformation]] started in Germany and Germany has one of the strongest economies of Europe.  

The regions of [[secular Europe]] which are performing better than the rest of Europe often have a cultural legacy of the Protestant work ethic. For example, a 2011 ''Telegraph'' article noted: "Either way, not a single Protestant or Germanic EU country has so far needed a bailout."<ref>[http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/edwest/100116846/yet-another-catholic-country-needs-a-bailout-from-the-protestant-north/ Another Catholic country needs a bailout]</ref> The Protestant [[Reformation]] started in Germany and Germany has one of the strongest economies of Europe.  

Due to lower economic productivity, atheistic [[communism]]/[[socialism]] can lead to a country to eventual financial ruin or significant economic problems which is what occurred to the [[Soviet Union]] and is currently happening in [[secular Europe]] via the [[Eurozone]] financial crisis (see: [[Atheism and sloth#Sloth in atheistic communist countries vs. Protestant work ethic|Sloth in atheistic communist countries]] and [[Atheism and sloth#Secular Europe's economic crisis|Sloth and Secular Europe's economic crisis]]).

Due to lower economic productivity, atheistic [[communism]]/[[socialism]] can lead to a country to eventual financial ruin or significant economic problems which is what occurred to the [[Soviet Union]] and is currently happening in [[secular Europe]] via the [[Eurozone]] financial crisis (see: [[Atheism and sloth#Sloth in atheistic communist countries vs. Protestant work ethic|Sloth in atheistic communist countries]] and [[Atheism and sloth#Secular Europe's economic crisis|Sloth and Secular Europe's economic crisis]]).

== See also ==

== See also ==