Some Americans call us ‘Europoor’ – but there are seven ways we’re exceedingly rich | Emma Beddington
Guardian columnist Emma Beddington responds to American claims that Europeans are "Europoor" — mocked online for lower salaries, higher taxes and reliance on public transport compared with the US. She acknowledges some truth to the jibe, citing figures showing stronger US GDP growth and higher cost-of-living-adjusted wages, but argues these statistics ignore quality-of-life factors such as healthcare access, life expectancy and inequality where Europe fares better.
The article cites OECD data showing average US earnings of $86,977 versus $66,299 in the UK, $76,286 in Germany and $60,483 in France, alongside faster post-pandemic GDP growth in the US (15.6% versus 7.2% in the eurozone and 6.3% in the UK). Beddington counters with a tongue-in-cheek list of areas where Europe remains "exceedingly rich," ranging from cheese and cycling culture to religious heritage, food safety, eccentric historical monarchs and dental authenticity.
In short
- Americans mock Europeans as "Europoor" over pay and taxes.
- US wages and GDP growth outpace Europe's, OECD data shows.
- Columnist counters with wry list of Europe's non-economic strengths.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Those who point to America's economic edge argue that raw prosperity matters: higher average earnings, faster GDP growth and greater dynamism translate into more disposable income, more consumer choice and more opportunity for individuals to build wealth. They would say that comparing headline figures is a fair and useful way to measure living standards, and that Europe's slower growth and higher tax burdens reflect real structural weaknesses – overregulation, sluggish innovation and labour markets – that leave ordinary Europeans materially worse off than their American counterparts, whatever compensating charms are claimed for European life.
The case against
Those who champion the European model argue that GDP and average wages are poor proxies for wellbeing, since they say nothing about how gains are distributed or what people actually get for their money. They would point to universal healthcare free at the point of use, longer life expectancy, lower inequality, stronger worker protections and more generous leisure time as evidence that a society's success should be judged by security and quality of life rather than income alone, and that a bigger paycheque means little if it must cover medical bills, chronic stress or a thinner social safety net.
Explained simply
“Europoor” is an online put-down aimed at Europeans, often comparing their salaries and taxes with those in the United States. The figures commonly used in that comparison include average earnings and economic growth, though they do not describe every person’s circumstances.
Emma Beddington is a Guardian columnist who writes about life and culture. Her article considers other ways to compare living standards, including healthcare, life expectancy and inequality, as well as lighter measures such as food and cycling.
The comparison matters because income and economic growth are only part of how people assess prosperity. Countries can differ in public services and everyday life as well as in wages and wealth.
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