Average Workweek Duration in Different Countries around the World A map excellently illustrates the importance of working smart with Norway's residents working an average of 27 hours per week, emphasizing quality over quantity. In contrast, Montenegro leads Europe with an average of 44 hours per week, surpassing even countries with higher living standards. In Europe, Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina also stand out with workweek durations of 41.4 and 40.8 hours, respectively. Despite cultural differences in defining work, the hours spent remain significant. On the other end of the spectrum in Europe are countries like Finland, Germany, and Sweden, where residents work around 29 hours per week, showing a notable difference compared to the higher averages in other European nations. In comparison, the average workweek duration in Asia is notably lower at 38.2 hours, underscoring regional variations in working hours.

Perception of NATO Varies Across Member Countries The attitude towards NATO is generally positive, with strong approval in Eastern Europe and nearby countries. In Poland, there is an 81% approval rate, and similar sentiment is likely in the Baltic countries. The approval rating stands at 73% in Germany and 72% in Sweden. Residents of the USA, Canada, and the UK also hold a favorable view of NATO. Conversely, Southern Europe shows less enthusiasm for the alliance. Only 47% of Spaniards view NATO positively, while in Turkey, the approval rate drops to 30%, and in Greece, it is a mere 28%.

The Most Popular Master's Programs in Different Countries Worldwide Almost everywhere, from South Korea to Colombia, from Australia to Iceland, the most popular choice among those applying for master's programs is business and law. There are a few exceptions: in Japan and Sweden, engineering programs are the most popular choice, while in Spain, education has taken the lead, and in Brazil - medicine. Surprisingly, the infamous IT field failed to surpass 10% of applicants almost anywhere, except for 12% in Ireland and 10% in Estonia.

How Many Kilometers of Toilet Paper Are Used in a Lifetime in Different Countries Around the World The average Russian uses up 53 kilometers of toilet paper during their lifetime. Comparatively, residents of Portugal, the USA, and Germany surpass 1000 kilometers of toilet paper usage in a lifetime. In contrast, Nigerians lag behind, using only a fraction of what others use. When it comes to toilet paper consumption, Russians and residents of many post-Soviet countries are surprisingly economical compared to developed countries like the USA and even China.

Leading countries in quality of life: now and ten years ago Europe has consistently been the most comfortable place to live, with Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and Denmark now leading the ranking. In contrast, Switzerland, Germany, and Sweden held these positions a decade ago, showing a shift in leadership while remaining near the top. Notably, the U.S., Canada, Japan, and Saudi Arabia have experienced declines, and Turkmenistan is no longer listed in the rankings. Oman has surprisingly risen to the 4th position. Additionally, several small European countries, including Iceland and the Baltic states, have significantly enhanced their quality of life rankings.

Birth rate in Chinese provinces drops to 0.57 children per woman in 2024 In 2024, many Chinese provinces experienced a significant decrease in the birth rate, with the number dropping to a record low of 0.57 children per woman. This decline signals a rapid and severe population decrease in the country. The lowest birth rates, hovering around 1 child per woman, were observed in the most developed and prosperous coastal regions of China. Alarmingly, none of the regions in China reported a birth rate surpassing the replacement level of just over 2 children per woman.

European Countries Experience Decline in Birth Rates For the most part, European countries saw a decline in birth rates below 3 children per woman many decades ago. In Eastern Europe, France, Italy, and various other nations, this drop occurred as early as the 1940s. Germany and Northern European countries experienced this even earlier, with Poland and some Balkan countries following suit in the 1950s. The trend continued into the 1980s and beyond, with countries like Ireland (the only non-Muslim nation in the group), Albania, Kosovo, Turkey, and Azerbaijan witnessing their birth rates fall below the 3 children per woman threshold during this period.

Countries with the Largest Forests Russia stands out as the global leader in forest area, boasting 833 million hectares, which makes up 20% of the world's total forest area of 4.1 billion hectares. Following Russia, Brazil ranks second with 486 million hectares of forest, while Canada, the USA, and China hold 369 million, 309 million, and 227 million hectares of forests, respectively.

The Most Militarized Economies in the World Calculating the level of "militarization" can vary significantly, resulting in diverse outcomes. When considering total military expenditures, the top 3 include the USA, China, and Russia – a fairly expected ranking. Looking at military spending per capita (PPP basis), North Korea, Qatar, and Singapore emerge as leaders (an unexpected mix of countries, right?). The USA drops to seventh place, with neither Russia nor China making it to the top 10. In terms of the share of military spending in GDP, once again North Korea ranks high (a staggering 34% of GDP allocated to defense), followed by Ukraine (17% – half as much as North Korea) and Afghanistan (15%). China and the USA don't make it to the top; Russia ranks 10th by this measure, behind Saudi Arabia and Israel.

The Proportion of German Language Speakers in Different European Countries The largest percentage of people with German as their mother tongue is found in Austria at 88.6%, surpassing Germany. In Liechtenstein, this number climbs even higher to 92.6%, although the country is small. In Germany, 81.3% of the population are native German speakers, which is notably lower compared to Austria. Switzerland follows with 61.4% of the population speaking German as their first language. In other European countries, the proportion of German speakers does not exceed one percent, with the exception of France at 1.8%.