European Union

The European Union (EU) is a political and economic union of 27 member states that are located primarily in Europe. It is a special group that works together on many important issues. The EU covers a large area and has more than 450 million people, making it one of the biggest groups of countries working together in the world.

The EU is very important for the world’s economy. In 2024, the countries in the EU made about one sixth of all the world’s money. They have special rules to make it easy to travel, trade, and move between their countries. Many people can travel between these countries without showing their passports thanks to an area called the Schengen Area. Twenty-one of the countries use a special money called the euro.

The EU was created in 1993 by a treaty called the Maastricht Treaty. It started with just six countries in 1948 and has grown to include many more. In 2020, the United Kingdom became the only country to leave the EU, but many other countries are working to join it. The EU also works together on problems around the world and has its own representatives in many important places. In 2012, it even received the Nobel Peace Prize for helping to bring peace and cooperation to Europe.

History

Main article: History of the European Union

For a chronological guide, see Timeline of European Union history.

Further information: Treaties of the European Union and European integration

The European Union began forming after World War II, when countries wanted to work together to prevent future wars. Early ideas for unity grew from the damage of two world wars. Leaders like Winston Churchill spoke about a "European Union" soon after the war ended.

In the 1950s, six countries — France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, West Germany, and Italy — created the European Coal and Steel Community. This was the first step in tying their economies together so they would not fight each other. Later, they formed the European Economic Community, which helped these countries trade and grow together.

Over the years, more countries joined, and the EU grew. Today, it has 27 member states working together on many important issues. The EU has helped bring peace and cooperation to Europe after years of conflict.

Politics

Main article: Politics of the European Union

The European Union works through a mix of shared and independent decision-making. It follows two important principles: conferral, meaning it only acts within the limits set by its treaties, and subsidiarity, meaning it only acts when member states cannot achieve a goal well on their own.

Laws in the EU come in two main types: regulations, which apply directly in every member state, and directives, which set goals but let each country decide how to meet them. The EU has several key bodies, including the European Parliament, the European Council, and the European Commission, which work together to make and enforce laws. There are also special groups and alliances among some member states for specific projects or policies. To join the EU, a country must have a stable democracy, a working market economy, and agree to follow EU rules.

Geography

Main article: Geography of the European Union

The European Union has 27 member states covering an area of 4,233,262 square kilometres. Most of these states are located on the European continent. The highest point in the EU is Mont Blanc in the Graian Alps, which stands at 4,810.45 metres above sea level. Some parts of the EU, like Lammefjorden in Denmark and Zuidplaspolder in the Netherlands, are below sea level.

The EU's climate varies across its large area. Western Europe has a maritime climate, influenced by the warm Gulf Stream, while eastern Europe has a more continental climate. Southern Europe experiences hot, dry summers and wet seasons, with precipitation often falling near water bodies and in mountainous regions like the Alps.

Over the years, the EU has created many rules to protect its environment. These rules cover air and water quality, waste management, and protecting nature. The EU plays a big role in global efforts to fight climate change, aiming to use more renewable energy and reduce harmful emissions. The EU has set goals to cut carbon emissions and become carbon neutral by 2050.

Economy

Main article: Economy of the European Union

The European Union (EU) is a group of 27 countries in Europe that work together economically and politically. The EU’s total economy was worth about US$16.64 trillion in 2022, making it one of the largest economies in the world. This wealth varies a lot between different parts of the EU, with some areas being much richer than others.

The EU is also one of the world’s largest holders of wealth, coming third after the United States and China. Many of the biggest companies in the world, measured by how much money they make, have their headquarters in EU countries.

Economic and monetary union

Main article: Economic and Monetary Union of the European Union

One big part of the EU is using the same money, called the euro. This started in 1999, and by 2002, people could use euro coins and bills instead of their old money. Today, 20 EU countries use the euro. The European Central Bank looks after the euro and makes sure prices stay steady.

Trade

The EU works together to make trading easier. This means people and companies can buy and sell things between EU countries without extra taxes or checks at borders. The EU also makes agreements with other countries to trade fairly and fairly priced goods and services.

Energy

The EU gets its energy from many sources, like oil, natural gas, coal, nuclear power, and renewable energy like wind and sun power. The EU wants to use more clean energy and less dirty energy, especially from Russia.

Transport

The EU helps countries connect better with roads, railways, airports, and water ways. There are big transportation plans to make traveling easier and safer across Europe. This includes building new roads and railways and making air travel safer.

Electronic communications and space

The EU has made it so people can use their mobile phones anywhere in the EU without extra charges. The EU also has its own satellite system called Galileo, which helps with navigation, just like GPS.

Agriculture and fisheries

The EU has special rules to help farmers and fishermen. These rules include giving money to farmers and setting catch limits for fish to make sure there are enough fish left.

Labour

People in the EU can move freely to live and work in any EU country. The EU tries to make sure workers are treated fairly and have good working conditions.

Regional development

The EU has special money to help poorer areas grow and develop. This includes helping cities and towns that are not doing as well as others. The EU also helps countries that want to join the EU get ready by changing their rules to match EU rules.

Demographics

Main article: Demographics of the European Union

See also: European Union citizenship

The European Union (EU) is home to about 450 million people, making up around 5.8% of the world's population. This means there are about 106 people living in every square kilometer of the EU. Most of these people live in central and western parts of Europe, though places like Sweden and Finland have far fewer people spread out over larger areas.

The EU is made up of people from many different countries and backgrounds. While most people are citizens of an EU country, about 5% are citizens of nations outside the EU, such as Morocco, Turkey, Syria, and China. Many people also move between EU countries, with thousands immigrating into the EU and others moving out each year.

Population

Further information: List of European Union member states by population

More than two-thirds of people in the EU live in cities and towns. One of the biggest cities is Paris, with over 13 million people in its area. Other large cities include Madrid, Barcelona, Berlin, Milan, and Rome. The EU also has many smaller cities and towns where people live.

Languages

Main article: Languages of the European Union

See also: Translation Centre for the Bodies of the European Union

The EU has 24 official languages, such as English, French, German, Spanish, and Italian. Important documents are translated into all these languages so everyone can understand them. While many people speak more than one language, English is the most commonly spoken and learned in schools across the EU.

Religion

Main article: Religion in the European Union

The EU does not have an official religion, and people there follow many different beliefs. Many people are Catholic or belong to various Protestant groups, while others follow the Eastern Orthodox Church, Islam, Judaism, or other religions like Buddhism and Hinduism. Beliefs vary widely across different countries in the EU.

Education and research

Main articles: Educational policies and initiatives of the European Union and Framework Programmes for Research and Technological Development

See also: European Institute of Innovation and Technology

Education in the EU is mostly managed by each country, but the EU supports student exchanges through programs like Erasmus. These programs help students and teachers from different countries learn from each other. The EU also funds research to support new discoveries and innovations in areas like energy and technology.

Health

Main article: Healthcare in Europe

See also: European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, European Chemicals Agency, European Medicines Agency, and European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction

The EU works to ensure that people have good healthcare. All EU countries offer a European Health Insurance Card, which helps people get medical care when they travel within the EU. Life expectancy in the EU is around 80 years, which is higher than the global average.

Social rights and equality

Main articles: European social model, European Social Fund Plus, Welfare State, European Social Charter, European Voluntary Service, European labour law, List of countries by guaranteed minimum income, European Pillar of Social Rights, and List of European Union member states by minimum wage

The EU supports social rights and equality for all its citizens. It works to ensure fair treatment and access to services across member countries. Efforts include supporting gender equality, protecting against discrimination, and promoting social welfare.

Freedom, security and justice

Main article: Area of freedom, security and justice

Further information: Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union

See also: eu-LISA, Eurojust, European Institute for Gender Equality, European Union Agency for Asylum, European Union Agency for Cybersecurity, European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Training, Europol, Frontex, and Fundamental Rights Agency

The EU works to protect freedom, security, and justice for its citizens. It has agencies that help police and courts work together across countries. The EU also supports human rights and works to stop discrimination based on things like race, religion, or sexual orientation. The Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union ensures that everyone’s basic rights are protected.

Culture

Main article: Cultural policies of the European Union

The European Union supports culture among its member states. It has special programs like Culture 2000 and European Capital of Culture, which helps cities grow their arts and traditions.

Sport

Main article: Sport policies of the European Union

While sports are mostly handled by each country, the EU has some rules that affect them. For example, it allows players from any EU country to play in any EU league. The EU also respects the special nature of sports, making sure economic rules don’t harm them.

Symbols

Further information: European Heritage Label

The EU has special symbols. Its flag shows 12 golden stars on a blue background, standing for unity. The motto is “United in Diversity.” The EU also uses music from Beethoven’s ninth symphony as its anthem. The story of Europa, a figure from Greek myths, is also linked to the EU.

Media

Main articles: Media freedom in the European Union and European Broadcasting Union

Media freedom is very important in the EU. There are many media outlets across Europe, and some focus on EU news. The EU supports films and TV shows through its MEDIA Programme.

Influence

The EU has helped improve economies in its member states. It has also helped bring peace and spread democracy, especially in Eastern Europe after the fall of the Soviet Union. However, some leaders have used EU funds to strengthen their power instead of improving their countries.

Opt-outs

Main article: Opt-outs in the European Union

Some countries in the European Union have special rules that let them choose not to follow certain parts of the union. Denmark does not use the euro currency or follow some rules about safety and justice. Ireland does not join the Schengen area because it shares a border with the UK, and also has some special rules about safety and justice. Poland has special rules about certain basic rights too.