Changes

The [[Eurozone Crisis|Eurozone crisis]]  is an ongoing [[economics|economic]] crisis which has been negatively affecting [[Eurozone]] countries since late 2009. It consists of a sovereign debt crisis, a banking crisis and an economic growth and competitiveness crisis.

The [[Eurozone Crisis|Eurozone crisis]]  is an ongoing [[economics|economic]] crisis which has been negatively affecting [[Eurozone]] countries since late 2009. It consists of a sovereign debt crisis, a banking crisis and an economic growth and competitiveness crisis.

Western Europeans work less hours than Americans and workers in many other countries.<ref>[http://www.forbes.com/2006/05/20/steven-landsburg-labor_cx_sl_06work_0523landsburg.html Why Europeans work less hours than Americans], ''Forbes''</ref><ref>[http://www.businessinsider.com/average-annual-hours-worked-for-americans-vs-the-rest-of-the-world-2013-8 Check Out How Much The Average American Works Each Year Compared To The French, The Germans, And The Koreans], Business Insider</ref><ref>[http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-18144319 Who works the longest hours?], BBC, 2012</ref>  Commenting on this matter, Niall Ferguson wrote a 2004 article published in ''The Telegraph'' entitled, "''The atheist sloth ethic, or why Europeans don't believe in work''".<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> See: [[Atheism and sloth]]

Western Europeans work less hours than Americans and workers in many other countries.<ref>[http://www.forbes.com/2006/05/20/steven-landsburg-labor_cx_sl_06work_0523landsburg.html Why Europeans work less hours than Americans], ''Forbes''</ref><ref>[http://www.businessinsider.com/average-annual-hours-worked-for-americans-vs-the-rest-of-the-world-2013-8 Check Out How Much The Average American Works Each Year Compared To The French, The Germans, And The Koreans], Business Insider</ref><ref>[http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-18144319 Who works the longest hours?], BBC, 2012</ref>  Commenting on this matter, Niall Ferguson wrote a 2004 article published in ''The Telegraph'' entitled, "''The atheist sloth ethic, or why Europeans don't believe in work''".<ref>[https://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> See: [[Atheism and sloth]]

Niall Ferguson also noted in his article:

Niall Ferguson also noted in his article:

{{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>[https://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>

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>