Nobody chooses in which country to be born, yet, it is the most important choice of each individual’s life. Each day 385,000 babies are introduced into our world, and 17,185 of them are born in Europe. And despite Europe’s approximately similar living conditions, each country offers different opportunities for newborn EU citizens. Thus, it is worth identifying the best and worst European countries for young adults.
The difference in the level of living is primarily affected by growing inflation, thus increasing utility bills, grocery prices, real estate, and rent costs. The crime rate, as a result of job unavailability, also plays a crucial role in each country’s well-being by directly impacting the quality of life. All these factors affect the cultural aspect of the younger generation.
At Alorix, we understand that despite each country’s past and cultural heritage, the most important is the future, which is shaped by the younger generation. As a bridge between travelers and cultural heritage, we are interested in raising awareness about unequal living conditions of young adults among EU state members, which can drastically impact their cultural competence, opportunities, and willingness to travel.
Key factors to measure each country’s given opportunities
In this study, we compared the most significant factors, that affect the opportunities of young adults to get more acquainted not only with their local culture but also with the culture of other countries such as:
- Percentage of the average salary it takes to cover the rent for 1 month in the capital, but not in the center;
- Amount of Big Macs can be purchased with the average salary;
- Crime prevalence;
- Education level of young adults;
- Job opportunities and its availability;
- Happiness index.
These indexes help to identify the consumer power of young adults, their education, job opportunities, and likeliness to join the crime world. The following factors can impact the possibility of young adults learning about the cultural heritage of other countries, and the flexibility of traveling around the world.
Rent Opportunities
Renting a flat is an essential step for young adults when they decide to build independent lives apart from their families. The majority of the younger generation tends to relocate and live in the capital cities of their home countries. It is important to rent an apartment at a reasonable price, which won’t take up most of your salary. Such a strategy can help young adults save money, which they can spend on traveling in the future.
Big Macs per salary
The price of a Big Mac is different for the majority of European countries. The amount of Big Macs, that can be bought with the average salary of each state represents the purchasing power of local residents and the affordability of living essentials. The affordability of living essentials is important for the local population to meet the required needs of life. The data also represents the affordability of young adults to save money for future traveling.
Crime rate
A high crime rate level results from certain social groups that have poor opportunities to have a better life. Thus, they have no other option but to join the crime world to somehow improve their existence. The high crime rate of a country can negatively impact the influx of tourists from different countries, which can also influence their cultural awareness of the country visited. Also, residents, who have decided to join the crime world at an early age, usually show poor knowledge of local culture and are not interested in exploring it.
Education level
Getting a diploma is one of the essential steps in the life of young adults. A good level of education is closely connected with the opportunity of the younger generation to get a well-paid job with future career opportunities. The education must be accessible so every local would have a chance to be more knowledgeable about local culture. Since studies about other cultures may be included in the program, it broadens the cultural horizons of young adults and encourages them to visit other countries.
Job opportunities
Nowadays, young adults struggle to get a position in their dream company, or they are not able to find any job at all. The lack of a stable income has a negative impact on the overall level of life of the younger generation because they have fewer chances to be able to save funds for traveling purposes. Such a situation also impacts the overall knowledge of the younger generation about the cultural heritage of other countries.
Happiness index
The happiness index shows how the local population is satisfied with the living conditions and opportunities that their home country can offer. The more opportunities the country can offer, the happier the local population is. Low life satisfaction can harm young adults’ willingness to visit other countries, as they lose motivation and taste of life.
Key Findings
- The worst European country for young adults is Italy, and the best is the Netherlands.
- The residents of Latvia spend 26.7% of their monthly wage on apartment rentals, while the local population of Ireland spends 72.88%, which is almost 2,7 times more than in Latvia.
- Estonia is considered the most peaceful country with a crime rate of 23.7; France got the last place with a rate of 55.4.
- Czechia has the lowest unemployment rate of 2.77%, while 11.56% of the local population in Spain struggles to find any job opportunities.
- Locals of the Netherlands can buy 533 Big Macs with their monthly salary, while it is possible to afford only 253 Big Macs on the salary in Slovakia.
- Residents of Finland are considered the happiest nation with an index of 7.74, while Bulgaria has the lowest happiness index of 5.46.
- The highest percentage of young adults with a Bachelor’s degree is in Ireland with 62.7%, while 22,5% of the younger generation in Romania managed to get the diploma.
Rental index – Worst
- Ireland – 72.88%
- Portugal – 71.67%
- Luxembourg – 65.99%
- Netherlands – 54.42%
- Denmark – 53.63%
Countries like Ireland and Portugal top the list with more than 70% of monthly wage to be spent on renting the apartment. Luxembourg earned 3rd place with 65.99%, while residents of the Netherlands and Denmark need to spend nearly 55% of their monthly salary to rent a flat. Such big prices for apartment rentals are caused by the large population in capital cities. Moreover, people from smaller towns tend to move to the capital for better living conditions and job opportunities. Also, tourists, who visit these countries, have an impact on the gradual rate of apartment rentals.
Rental index – Best
- Latvia – 26.70%
- Romania – 27.58%
- Austria – 27.79%
- Hungary – 32.05%
- Greece – 33.55%
Capitals of Latvia, Romania, Austria, Hungary, and Greece are considered the places with the least part of salary to be spent on apartment rental. Some of the key factors are related to the fact that generally, the price of rent in Latvia and Romania is low due to low wages and cost of living. Spending less funds on apartment rentals allows young adults to save money, so they can attend various local cultural events, as well as to travel around the world. These aspects can expand the cultural borders of the younger generation gradually.
Big Macs per salary index – Worst
- Slovakia – 253
- Croatia – 281
- Latvia – 283
- Estonia – 285
- Portugal – 289
The following numbers represent that residents of Slovakia can buy the least number of Big Macs on their monthly salary. Although the number slightly increases with every country, it can be determined that these EU members had the most rapid inflation and price increase. Financial limitations may force young adults to prioritize basic needs over cultural enrichment by reducing traveling and other opportunities, that can develop cultural knowledge. Young adults in these countries are less likely to save money for activities, that could reveal the cultural heritage to them.
Big Macs per salary index – Best
- Netherlands – 533
- Romania – 512
- Luxembourg – 480
- Austria – 446
- Poland – 437
The Netherlands tops the list with 533 Big Macs to be bought on a monthly wage. Other countries from the list also show impressive results due to having the lowest prices on goods and services and having the minimal impact caused by inflation. Young adults have a higher chance of saving funds on traveling, without neglecting spending on basic needs. Moreover, the younger generation in these countries have more spare time, which can be dedicated to their hobbies, or visiting events, which may expand their cultural borders because of the flexible workload.
Crime index – Worst
- France – 55.4
- Belgium – 49.4
- Sweden – 48.0
- Ireland – 47.6
- Italy – 46.9
The following countries have the highest crime rate index due to numerous organized crime acts and low job opportunities for the local population. France is considered the country with the highest crime index of 55.4. A high crime index can limit young adults’ cultural knowledge as they cannot explore the culture of their and other countries due to safety concerns. Limited mobility and fear of criminality can lead to reduced opportunities to socialize with people from different backgrounds and attend cultural events.
Crime index – Best
- Estonia – 23.7
- Slovenia – 23.8
- Croatia – 25.5
- Denmark – 26.0
- Czech Republic – 26.5
Such countries as Estonia, Slovenia, Croatia, Denmark, and the Czech Republic have the lowest crime index. The reason for having such a low crime level is related to the fact of having a stable and secure social environment. Additionally, the government offers social programs, targeted to help the younger generation from turning to crime. These countries foster a safe environment for young adults to explore the culture through various events, workshops, and travel opportunities, which can significantly boost their cultural knowledge.
Education index – Worst
- Romania – 22.5%
- Hungary – 30.1%
- Italy – 30.6%
- Czech Republic – 33.7%
- Bulgaria – 35.8%
A low percentage of the younger generation who finished a diploma in these countries is related to a high dropout rate, and willingness to study abroad rather than finishing a local university. Lack of a higher education diploma can lead to reduced job opportunities. Thus, the younger generation does not have opportunities to save money on traveling and other cultural enrichment activities due to low salaries. Moreover, educational institutions may not focus on diverse curricula, including studies, related to the culture of different countries.
Education index – Best
- Ireland – 62.7%
- Cyprus – 61.6%
- Luxembourg – 60.2%
- Lithuania – 57.4%
- Netherlands – 54.5%
The following countries have the highest percentage of young adults, who managed to finish their Bachelor’s diploma in 2023. The main reason is related to a lower dropout rate, and the willingness of the younger generation to have successful career development opportunities by acquiring a necessary degree. Many universities from these countries are ranked highly and offer modern, free, and competitive education, suitable for diverse financial groups. They provide a diverse curriculum that fosters critical thinking and promotes global cultural awareness. Additionally, young adults can develop cultural knowledge through exchange programs by living in other countries for a certain period of time.
Unemployment rate – Worst
- Spain – 11.56%
- Greece – 10.2%
- Sweden – 8.37%
- Finland – 8.26%
- Estonia – 7.62%
Spain and Greece have some of the highest youth unemployment rates in Europe due to a lack of necessary education and skills. The slower economic growth of certain workforce sectors in Estonia and Finland has also contributed to such a high unemployment rate. As another key factor, the economy of the majority of the countries from the list is highly dependent on tourism and seasonal industries. The lack of job opportunities can deprioritize cultural enrichment through various activities, as the younger generation focuses more on covering basic needs and finding any work opportunities to earn a living.
Unemployment rate – Best
- Czech Republic – 2.77%
- Poland – 2.94%
- Malta – 3.19%
- Germany – 3.38%
- Netherlands – 3.64%
A low unemployment rate in these countries is affected by a diverse economy with assets in many industries, reducing dependence on a single industry. For example, Malta tends to develop tourism, finance, and IT sectors. Poland and Germany actively implement retraining programs, and job search assistance to find a job in a short time. Broad job opportunities can provide young adults financial stability, which provides access to constant cultural opportunities through business trips, and simply traveling during their vacation. As a result, the younger generation can get acquainted with the culture and communities of other countries, which develops their cultural awareness gradually.
Happiness Index – Worst
- Bulgaria – 5.46
- Greece – 5.93
- Croatia – 5.94
- Hungary – 6.02
- Portugal – 6.03
According to the statistics of 2024, Bulgaria is considered to have the lowest happiness index of 5.46. Such happiness index data results from low GDP per capita, which significantly impacts overall life satisfaction due to economic limitations. Low life satisfaction reduces the motivation of young adults to engage in cultural activities and events because they are more focused on their personal problems in life rather than enriching their knowledge. Thus, they tend to be more isolated. Additionally, the local population fails to build proper trust in the government because of political disputes, challenges, and inner corruption.
Happiness Index – Best
- Finland – 7.74
- Denmark – 7.58
- Sweden – 7.34
- Netherlands – 7.32
- Luxembourg – 7.12
On the other hand, such countries like Finland, Denmark, Sweden, Netherlands, and Luxembourg are considered to have the happiest local populations of all EU members. Finland, Denmark, and Sweden provide extensive social programs, including parental leave and affordable childcare. Also, all these countries have strong and stable economies, offering their citizens high standards of living. A high happiness index can motivate the younger generation to travel and explore the cultures of other countries. Many young adults also have the energy and willingness to dedicate time to diverse hobbies, which may include culture-oriented activities, such as folk dancing, traditional music, etc.
Overall worst countries to be born in
- Italy
- Portugal
- Greece
- Slovakia
- France
By taking into consideration all the previous factors and data, Alorix team has calculated the final index to identify which EU country is the least preferable place to live for young adults. Italy is considered the worst country, followed by Portugal, Greece, Slovakia, and France. Such results arise from economic challenges, untrustworthy government, and limited opportunities for social and economic mobility. These factors can limit the possibility of young adults traveling around the world, which can impact their cultural knowledge. They have fewer opportunities to enrich cultural awareness due to being more focused on their challenges in life, financial limitations, and fewer job opportunities.
Additionally, Italy and France struggle to provide a safe environment due to the high crime rate, which also impacts the overall life satisfaction of the local population, and raises safety concerns when visiting cultural destinations and events. Young adults are less likely to expand their cultural awareness as they have low interest and lack motivation to experience new opportunities.
Overall best countries to be born in
- Netherlands
- Austria
- Poland
- Cyprus
- Luxembourg
Such countries as the Netherlands, Austria, Poland, Cyprus, and Luxembourg are considered the best EU countries for the younger generation to live in. Young adults have more motivation to explore the cultural aspects of their home country by taking part in various events and activities. Also, they can get acquainted with other cultures through extensive traveling options due to a stable financial state. The following countries have strong economies, which strongly impact the overall quality of life. The governments tend to create a stable, supportive, and secure environment for raising families and building a successful future due to diverse economies and a wide range of work opportunities.
Another key factor is the quality of education. The Netherlands and Austria are known for their high-quality educational systems as they try to provide access to higher education to as many young residents as possible. They tend to provide the younger generation with a diverse curriculum, which is focused on improving overall cultural awareness. Also, their constant funding of the educational sector leads to innovation and a decrease in potential unemployment among young adults.
Regional trend insights
Northern Europe, including countries like the Netherlands, Denmark, and Sweden, consistently outperforms Southern Europe, such as Greece, Portugal, and Italy, in key quality-of-life indicators.
Higher average salaries in Northern Europe (e.g., €36,488.52 in the Netherlands) allow young adults to afford more traveling opportunities and cultural experiences compared to Southern Europe (e.g., €17,697.13 in Portugal). Despite higher rent costs in Northern Europe (e.g., 53.63% of salary in Denmark), strong social safety and higher incomes make these expenses more manageable. In contrast, while Southern Europe has lower rent costs (e.g., 33.55% in Greece), lower salaries and economic instability often make traveling a challenge as young adults are more occupied with life challenges, and tend to be more isolated from society.
Education, job opportunities, and safety further highlight these differences. Northern Europe offers high-quality education and better employment prospects. Thus, many young adults tend to be more culturally educated. Not only do they gain sufficient cultural knowledge in educational institutions, but they also have more chances to explore the world through business trips and traveling.
On the other hand, Southern Europe struggles with improving education systems and addressing high youth unemployment rates. Safer environments and higher happiness levels (e.g., Finland scores 7.74) are common in the North, driven by an efficient government and broad development opportunities. Southern Europe faces challenges like economic instability and limited social mobility, making it less favorable for the younger generation to be able to travel around the world due to high workload and limited funds availability.
Conclusion
The study underscores a clear connection between economic stability, governance, and quality of life in European countries. Countries that prioritize strong social systems and effective governance tend to create environments where young adults are more motivated to visit other countries and learn new cultural aspects. Economic affordability together with opportunities for education and employment, plays a crucial role in determining overall satisfaction as the younger generation can expand their cultural knowledge through cultural experiences, workshops, constant traveling, and a multifaceted educational system.
Moreover, such a big difference in living conditions between countries highlights the importance of targeted reforms in areas such as unemployment, housing, and education. Investing in these sectors can significantly enhance living standards and encourage young people to learn about culture through new opportunities. Ultimately, countries that foster inclusivity, economic stability, and wide social opportunities position themselves as more desirable places to live in for young adults.
Correlation between indexes
Correlation between the Education Index and BM per Salary Index
Countries with higher education index scores often have better purchasing power, indicating a link between education and economic capability. Higher salaries make it easier to afford tuition for courses, certifications, or workshops focused on arts, history, or other cultural subjects.
Correlation between Crime Index and Rental Index
Countries with higher crime index, such as France, tend to have moderately higher rental costs, but this correlation is inconsistent across all nations. Higher rental costs cause reduced access to cultural experiences as young adults may not be able to travel domestically or internationally. Young adults are more preoccupied with earning money to cover essential living needs.
Correlation between the Education Index and Happiness Index
Countries with stronger education systems, like Finland and the Netherlands, tend to report higher happiness levels. A high happiness level, in return, promotes lifelong learning and exploration of new cultural aspects, as education usually includes arts, history, and cultural studies.
The Worst Countries in the EU to be born in (best to worst):
| Country | Rental index | BM per salary | Crime index | Education index | Unemployment rate | Happiness index | Final index |
| Netherlands | 54.42% | 533 | 26.9 | 54.5 | 3.64 | 7.32 | 46 |
| Austria | 27.79% | 446 | 29.5 | 43.5 | 5.12 | 6.91 | 49 |
| Poland | 45.28% | 437 | 29.0 | 46.3 | 2.94 | 6.44 | 59 |
| Cyprus | 34.97% | 393 | 33.1 | 61.6 | 4.91 | 6.07 | 66 |
| Luxembourg | 65.99% | 480 | 34.2 | 60.2 | 5.99 | 7.12 | 68 |
| Finland | 35.56% | 399 | 26.8 | 39.2 | 8.26 | 7.74 | 69 |
| Czech Republic | 49.81% | 363 | 26.5 | 33.7 | 2.77 | 6.82 | 70 |
| Romania | 27.58% | 512 | 32.3 | 22.5 | 5.36 | 6.49 | 70 |
| Germany | 33.85% | 436 | 39.4 | 38.4 | 3.38 | 6.72 | 71 |
| Denmark | 53.63% | 349 | 26.0 | 49.0 | 6.03 | 7.58 | 72 |
| Slovenia | 49.41% | 312 | 23.8 | 40.7 | 3.72 | 6.74 | 75 |
| Ireland | 72.88% | 433 | 47.6 | 62.7 | 4.30 | 6.84 | 75 |
| Lithuania | 36.29% | 320 | 32.4 | 57.4 | 7.43 | 6.82 | 77 |
| Belgium | 38.60% | 392 | 49.4 | 50.0 | 5.66 | 6.89 | 80 |
| Estonia | 33.63% | 285 | 23.7 | 43.5 | 7.62 | 6.45 | 85 |
| Sweden | 39.43% | 356 | 48.0 | 54.1 | 8.37 | 7.34 | 88 |
| Malta | 52.73% | 360 | 43.0 | 46.2 | 3.19 | 6.35 | 89 |
| Hungary | 32.05% | 385 | 33.7 | 30.1 | 4.34 | 6.02 | 89 |
| Bulgaria | 33.96% | 323 | 36.1 | 35.8 | 4.22 | 5.46 | 99 |
| Latvia | 26.70% | 283 | 37.1 | 45.1 | 6.90 | 6.23 | 99 |
| Croatia | 43.01% | 281 | 25.5 | 38.8 | 5.08 | 5.94 | 101 |
| Spain | 50.48% | 358 | 36.6 | 52.0 | 11.56 | 6.42 | 103 |
| France | 45.06% | 316 | 55.4 | 51.9 | 7.48 | 6.61 | 105 |
| Slovakia | 52.59% | 253 | 31.0 | 39.8 | 5.41 | 6.26 | 111 |
| Greece | 33.55% | 298 | 46.4 | 44.5 | 10.20 | 5.93 | 114 |
| Portugal | 71.67% | 289 | 32.1 | 41.5 | 6.44 | 6.03 | 118 |
| Italy | 38.39% | 294 | 46.9 | 30.6 | 6.66 | 6.32 | 120 |
Methodology
Alorix team has developed a comprehensive ranking system of all 27 members of the European Union, ranking each country across various statistical data related to different factors, which affect the living conditions and engagement into local culture.
To calculate the rental index, we have found additional data, such as the average salary per year, published by Eurostat, and the price to rent 1 bedroom apartment in the capital city of EU countries published by Numbeo. As a next step, we have calculated the approximate monthly salary of each state. Finally, we subtracted an average monthly salary from the monthly rent and divided it by the monthly salary.
To calculate the Big Mac index, we used previously calculated data, such as the average monthly salary of each EU state, and found the price of a Big Mac in each country. In order to calculate the final index, an average monthly salary was divided by the price of a Big Mac.
Crime index data was used from Numbeo;
Education index data was published by Eurostat;
The unemployment rate was also published by Eurostat, and only the unemployment rate for 2024 was taken into consideration.
The happiness index was taken from the data, provided by World Population Review.
Each EU state received a final index score, which was based on the ranking of each country from 1 to 27 by comparing them across 6 aforementioned categories. As a result, the final index was calculated by summing up all rankings, resulting from each category.
