From Unemployment Rates to the Big Mac Index. Where Young People in Europe Have the Best and Worst Life in Europe

Europe remains one of the most attractive regions for living, working, and traveling, especially for young people aged 18 to 35. However, the economic landscape across EU countries is uneven: while Western Europe serves as the industrial powerhouse of the continent, Eastern Europe is more in the position of catching up. As a result, young people don’t always manage to realize their ambitions due to limited job markets or high housing costs.

Young people are quite mobile and more willing to relocate than older generations. To determine which European countries best meet their needs, the company Alorix collected data on the cost of living, safety levels, transport accessibility, and tourist appeal, compiling a ranking of the best and worst countries for young adults.

In this article, we’ll explore why some countries attract young people with low expenses and openness, while others prove less accessible due to high costs.

Research Methodology

Data for the analysis was gathered from various sources: average salaries by country from Eurostat statistics; rental cost information from the global database on prices and living standards, Numbeo; safety indicators and the happiness index from international rankings by the UN and other open sources.

Additionally, in Western countries, the Big Mac Index is often used. It reflects purchasing power parity based on the price of a single specific item. If the price of a Big Mac is lower than in the US, it suggests the local currency is undervalued relative to the dollar. In this case, however, it was used to calculate how many Big Macs one could buy with an average salary, indirectly correlating this with the standard of living in a country.

The analysts used the following criteria:

• Cost of living. The percentage of the average salary spent on renting a one-bedroom apartment in the capital (outside the city center).
• Purchasing power. Calculated as the total number of Big Macs that can be purchased with the average salary.
• Safety. Based on data about crime levels.
• Transport and tourism accessibility. How easily and cheaply young people can move within the country and beyond its borders.
• Education and labor market. Access to higher education and the unemployment rate among young professionals.
• Happiness index. A subjective assessment of life satisfaction based on international data.

By compiling this data, the final index was formed. The best countries in this ranking are those where young people gain maximum opportunities at minimal costs, while the worst are countries with high expenses relative to income and limited prospects for development.

Rental Index

The rental index shows what portion of the average salary young people spend on renting a one-bedroom apartment in a country’s capital, outside its center. If the figure is high, rent becomes a burden, forcing individuals to cut back on other expenses, most often food and education.

Best countries by rental index:

• Latvia. In Riga, rent takes up 26.7% of the average salary, or about €300. The average salary stands at €1124.
• Spain. In Madrid, paying rent costs 31.25% of the average salary, or around €600, with an income of €1920.
• Portugal. With a cost similar to Madrid, rent in Lisbon claims 37.5% of the average salary due to a lower income of €1600.

Worst countries by rental index:

• Ireland. Dublin is the anti-leader. Rent there reaches 72.88% of the average salary, or €2186, with an average income of €3000, severely limiting budgets.
• Switzerland. In Zurich, rent averages €2350, which, with an average salary of €3700, amounts to 63.5% of income.
• United Kingdom. In London, rent consumes 58.82% of the average salary, stemming from an average rental price of €2000 and an income of €3400.

Big Mac to Salary Ratio Index

The Big Mac Index reflects a person’s purchasing power. If one salary can buy many Big Macs, the real disposable income is relatively high. Alorix uses this index as a simple way to demonstrate where young people can afford more with their money and where finances dwindle quickly due to high prices.

Best countries by Big Mac index:

• Denmark. With an average salary of €3200, you can buy 761 Big Macs at €4.20 each. High incomes and a moderate burger price make Denmark a leader in purchasing power, despite the high cost of living (€1200 rent).
• Germany. An average salary of €3000 equates to 652 Big Macs at €4.60. A strong economy supports affordability.
• The Netherlands. An income of €2800 allows for 622 Big Macs at €4.50. A stable standard of living for young people.

Worst countries by Big Mac Index:

• Romania. An average salary of €1000 buys only 333 Big Macs at €3.00. Low incomes allow for relative comfort only within Romania itself.
• Latvia. With a salary of €1124, you can purchase 374 Big Macs at €3.00. While housing rent is cheaper than in Western countries, purchasing power remains lower.
• Czech Republic. With an income of €1400 and a Big Mac price of €4.00, it comes out to 350 burgers. Average salaries fall short of the leaders, reducing financial freedom for young people.

Crime Index

The crime index directly indicates how safe it is to live in a specific country. A low index means less risk and greater freedom of movement, while a high one suggests the need to stay vigilant and avoid sketchy areas on dark evenings.

Safest countries:

• Czech Republic. In Prague, the crime index is approximately 20 per 1000 residents.
• Denmark. Copenhagen shows a crime index of about 23 per 1000 residents.
• Portugal. The crime rate in Lisbon is just 25 cases per 1000 residents.

Most troubled countries:

• Sweden. In Stockholm, the crime index reaches 50 per 1000 residents. The number of thefts and incidents of street violence is on the rise.
• France. In Paris, the crime index is around 57 per 1000 residents. Tourists increasingly complain about pickpocketing and minor offenses in tourist zones.
• United Kingdom. London shows an index of about 100 per 1000 residents. England’s reputation has been tarnished by a high level of street crime.

Education Index

The education index reflects how accessible education is in a country and the minimum financial threshold required to obtain it. It considers the cost of education, the availability of free programs, and the reputation of universities.

Best countries by education index:

• Germany. Education in public universities is free, with an administrative fee of €150—€300 per semester. The Technical University of Munich ranks in the world’s top 100.
• Denmark. Higher education is free for EU citizens, with scholarships of up to €600—€900 per month (SU grant).
• Czech Republic. Education in Czech at public universities is free, while English-language programs cost €2000—€7000 per year. Charles University in Prague attracts 2000–3000 international students annually.

Worst countries by education index:

• United Kingdom. Tuition at universities like UCL costs €26,000—€45,000 per year for international students. High housing costs add to the burden.
• Switzerland. Education at ETH Zurich or the University of Geneva costs around €1500 per year for all students, but rent (€1500—€2500 per month) makes life expensive.
• Romania. Tuition ranges from €2000—€4000 per year, but universities are less prestigious, and programs often lag behind Western standards.

Unemployment Rate

The unemployment rate shows what portion of the working-age population cannot find a job — not just in their field, but anywhere in the country. Initially, studies cited overall unemployment rates in EU countries, but these figures aren’t entirely objective for an analysis focused on young people. Therefore, we’ll use Eurostat data specifically on youth unemployment.

Countries with low unemployment rates:

• Germany. The youth unemployment rate is just 6.4%. This is thanks to a robust industrial sector: automotive giants (Volkswagen, BMW), energy, and engineering create thousands of jobs. Germany’s dual education system (study + practice) helps young people quickly enter the labor market by building experience.
• The Netherlands. Youth unemployment stands at 8.9%. The main driver of employment is international companies like Philips and ING, which need English-speaking staff. Logistics (Rotterdam port) and the IT sector also actively hire young employees.
• Malta. The youth unemployment rate is 10.0%. The island’s economy relies on tourism, financial services, and a growing IT sector. Young people find work in hotels, casinos, and startups, especially if they speak English, the country’s second official language.

Countries with high unemployment rates:

• Spain. Youth unemployment reaches 25.3%. Tourism and the service sector dominate, but outside the season, jobs are scarce. Young people struggle to find stable positions in other industries due to the country’s weak industrial development.
• Sweden. One in four young people (24.7%) remains jobless. The economy is strong, but the labor market demands high qualifications, leaving youth without experience at a disadvantage in local competition. Seasonal service jobs are often the main option.
• Greece. Youth unemployment is 19.5%. One in five school or university graduates faces a lack of vacancies. The economy depends on seasonal tourism, especially in Athens, and beyond that, prospects for young people are minimal—many leave the country.

Happiness Index

The happiness index is quite subjective, with samples collected by directly surveying people on the streets, asking them to rate their life satisfaction on a scale from 0 to 10. Nevertheless, we’ll include it, using data from the World Happiness Report—an annual UN report that combines Gallup polls with objective factors: GDP per capita, social support, life expectancy, freedom of choice, generosity, and perception of corruption.

Countries with happy populations:

• Denmark. The happiness index is 7.6 out of 10. Respondents most often cited high income (€3200 per month) and social stability as key factors.
• The Netherlands. Surveys showed satisfaction at 7.4 out of 10, thanks to low unemployment and a tolerant multicultural environment.
• Germany. Germans rated their satisfaction at 6.9, citing a high standard of living and robust social programs with generous benefits as reasons.

Countries with unhappy populations:

• United Kingdom. British Isles residents are generally satisfied (6.8 points) with their standard of living but note that political uncertainty post-Brexit and high housing costs dampen optimism.
• Italy. Young people in Italy rated their satisfaction at 6.4. They’re particularly concerned about high unemployment and weak prospects outside the service and tourism sectors.
• Romania. Romanian youth aren’t particularly happy, rating their happiness at 6.3 out of 10. They pointed out a weak local job market and education that falls short of Western European standards, making it hard even for qualified specialists to find work abroad.

Conclusion

By analyzing key indices, we can identify countries that frequently appear among the leaders and rarely among the outsiders, creating an optimal environment for young people. The best countries for youth to live in are considered Germany, Denmark, the Czech Republic, and Portugal. These nations offer low unemployment and high safety levels.

On the other hand, countries like Ireland (rent at 72.88% of €3000), the United Kingdom (high crime, expensive education), or Romania (low salaries and happiness) are worth moving to only with a substantial budget and high qualifications. Spain could have been among the leaders due to reasonable rental costs (31.25%) and a favorable climate, but high unemployment significantly spoils the picture.