{{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>}}
{{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>}}
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[[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>]]
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>[https://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
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>[https://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