'America is economically ahead of Europe, but life is better here'

About the chapter

According to macroeconomist Edin Mujakic, it has been clear for some time that the US is economically outperforming Europe. But it is a worrying observation that the gap between the two superpowers has been widening in recent years. Although it is difficult for Europeans to resist the 'temptation to be negative,' he says.

I also participate in it. But on the last weekend of 2023, a brilliant article appeared on the front page of the Het Finanzielle Talkblad, which might inspire more optimism as we look at Europe.

Please note: It is not the case that everything is going well in one place in the world and everything is going wrong in our country. Actually, a lot of good things have happened – it just depends on what you insist on. So, if you decide that the US is doing well economically and has been doing well compared to Europe in recent years, you need to see why.

What are the economic indicators before that?

Take global prosperity as an example – it has increased tremendously in recent decades. And then there is the question of what we have chosen with that extra richness. What did we spend it on? The exam in Europe is very different from the US in several important areas.