Following up on my last post, we know that in 2024, the US GDP was $27,721 B as compared to $18,591 B for the European Union. How to explain this?
Perhaps they have fewer people. No. In 2024, the EU’s population was 449 M as compared to 341 M for the US. from a GDP per capita, the US’s is $82,769 and the EU is $35,943. https://www.worlddata.info/america/usa/economy.php
So how to explain why the US’s economy is so much more productive than the EU’s?
Let’s consider some possibilities.
Education. Perhaps our citizens, and especially our young people are much better educated than the people in Europe. I think most members of the Red Team consider US’ public education to be abysmal, so I won’t try to refute that.
Health and health care. Perhaps it’s because our citizens are so much healthier – more fit, better health care. “Generally, the U.S. performs worse in long-term health outcomes measures (such as life expectancy), certain treatment outcomes (such as maternal mortality and congestive heart failure hospital admissions), some patient safety measures (such as obstetric trauma with instrument and medication or treatment errors), and patient experiences of not getting care due to cost.” So, not healthcare.
Criminal element. Is it because we have more law-abiding citizens who pull their weight and contribute more to the betterment of the common good? The EU, with a population over 30% larger than the US’ has 485,000 people incarcerated. The US has 1,490,000 inmates. So not that.
Happier? Maybe it’s because our people are so much happier than the Europeans. The US had over 50,000 suicides in 2024 and rising. The EU had 47,000 and falling. Drug overdose deaths is another indicator. Per Chat GPT, in 2023, the USA wins by a landslide: 107K to 6,200 suicides.
So, it is none of the above.
I believe that among the reasons (heretofore) are:
• The best and brightest from around the world can come here and be welcomed and be free and not have to worry about capricious and disruptive intrusions by our government.
• The US has had the most stable economy in the world and it is here where the rule of law has always prevailed.
• The US has the best universities in the world which have been funded by the US government to do research and development.
• The US has a stable and strong financial system
• The US Dollar is the reserve currency of the planet.
EVERYTHING President Trump is doing is undermining these and other advantages and assets that have made the United States the most productive and prosperous nation in the world and this despite all of our many social flaws.
Why does anyone want to see him destroy the very things that have led to our prosperity? I just don’t get it.
Return to my Facebook page and make a comment: https://www.facebook.com/David.Treppendahl