Money Buzz! Europa

Category: Cover

  • Austria: Emma and Maximilian were the most popular baby names in 2019

    Austria: Emma and Maximilian were the most popular baby names in 2019

    Emma and Maximilian topped the charts of first names given to newborn babies in Austria, as Statistics Austria reports.

    This result is based on the list of first names in original spelling and without special characters.

    In total, names of 41.372 newborn girls and 43.580 boys were analysed. Parents chose the name Emma 766 times (1.9%) for girls and Maximilian 841 times (1.9%) for boys.

    Emma reached the number one position for the first time since entering the top ten in 2010. Maximilian topped the list for the third time since entering the top ten in 2005.

    Also, Anna and Lukas were the most common names in 2019, both for more than 20 years.

  • European mayors to launch ”European Capital of Democracy” initiative

    European mayors to launch ”European Capital of Democracy” initiative

    This Friday, 18 September, mayors from various European countries will launch the Europe-wide initiative ”European Capital of Democracy” in Vienna.

    By launching the ”European Capital of Democracy Initiative”, mayors and international organisations want to make a real contribution to strengthening democracy in Europe.

    From 2021 onwards, each year one city will be awarded the title and thereby implement a comprehensive programme to strengthen democracy.

    Furthermore, international organisations will be invited to contribute by implementing activities in the respective city – international conferences, cultural festivals, educational programmes, summer camps for young citizens and much more.

    The initiative was founded by the Innovation in Politics Institute together with international partners.

    Who are the participants at the online launch Round Tables

    • Dubravka Šuica, Vice-President for Democracy and Demography, European Commission;
    • Kostas Bakoyannis, Mayor of Athens, Greece;
    • Jürgen Czernohorszky, Executive City Councillor for Education, Integration, Youth and Personnel of Vienna, Austria;
    • Aleksandra Dulkiewicz, Mayor of Gdansk, Poland;
    • Yordanka Fandakova, Mayor of Sofia, Bulgaria;
    • Peter Feldmann, Lord Mayor of Frankfurt am Main, Germany;
    • Zdeněk Hřib, Lord Mayor of Prague, Czech Republic;
    • Gergely Karácsony, Lord Mayor of Budapest, Hungary;
    • Hermano Sanches Ruivo, Deputy Mayor for European Affairs, Paris, France;
    • Rafał Trzaskowski, Mayor of Warsaw, Poland;
    • Matúš Vallo, Mayor of Bratislava, Slovakia;
    • Erion Veliaj, Mayor of Tirana, Albania.
  • A child born in Romania today will achieve only half of productive potential

    A child born in Romania today will achieve only half of productive potential

    A child born in Romania today will achieve only half of the productive potential of a fully educated adult in good health, says the latest update of the World Bank’s Human Capital Index (HCI), which measures pre-pandemic human capital outcomes around the world. 

    The analysis shows that a child born in Romania today will be achieve 58 percent of a fully educated adult in optimal health. This is lower than the productivity potential of 60 percent 10 years ago.

    The country is now lower than the average for the Europe & Central Asia region including high-income countries.  

    Romania’s HCI value reflects the need for urgent improvements in health and education outcomes.

    Today, a child in Romania can expect to complete 11.8 years of pre-primary, primary and secondary school by age 18, compared with 12.6 years in 2010. By comparison, a child in France can expect to complete 13.8 years.

    When years of schooling are adjusted for the quality of learning, the World Bank estimates that a child in Romania only benefits from 8.4 years of schooling, a learning gap of 3.4 years.

    Furthermore, students in Romania score 442 for learning outcomes on a scale where 625 represents advanced attainment and 300 represents minimum attainment.

    In terms of health, the percentage of 15-year-olds that will survive to age 60 stands at only 88 percent, compared to 93 percent in France and 95 percent in Sweden.

    The World Bank Group’s 2020 Human Capital Index shows that pre-pandemic, most countries have made steady progress in developing human capital in children, with the biggest strides made in low-income countries.

    Despite this progress, and even before the effects of the pandemic, a child born in a typical country could expect to achieve just 56 percent of her potential human capital, relative to a benchmark of complete education and full health.

    The HCI is made up of this indicators

    • the probability of survival to age 5;
    • a child’s expected years of schooling;
    • harmonized test scores;
    • learning-adjusted years of school;
    • adult survival rate and healthy growth – the proportion of children who are not stunted (data on stunting are not available for Romania).

    Scores are compiled for 174 countries covering 98 percent of the world’s population up to March 2020, providing a pre-pandemic baseline on the health and education of children.

    The Human Capital Index (HCI), first launched in 2018, measures the level of knowledge and skills that a child born today can expect to acquire by the age 18 based on the risks associated with poor education and health in a specific country.

  • Calligraphy is the focus of Alcantara’s new exhibit in Milan

    Calligraphy is the focus of Alcantara’s new exhibit in Milan

    “Out of the Blue, A Calligraphic Journey through Alcantara” opens next week in the Apartment of the Princes at the Royal Palace of Milan as a special feature of Milan Art Week.

    The exhibition showcases the work of six Chinese artists- Qin Feng, Qu Lei Lei, Sun Xun, Mao Lizi, Zhang Chun Hong and Wang Huangsheng – who have worked to combine the art of ancient calligraphy with avant-garde Alcantara material.

    One of the highest forms of artistic expression in China, the ancient discipline of calligraphy in the digital age continues to provide a vehicle for addressing topical issues as it connects them with the ancient past.

    Due to health concerns, the exhibition will be open to the public free of charge on a “by appointment” basis from Wednesday, September 9th through Sunday, October 11th. Milan Art Week takes place September 7-13.

    The Alcantara calligraphy exhibit will be on display in The Apartment of the Princes which occupies 10 rooms in the southwest wing of the Royal Palace.

  • Romanian media and entertainment industry growth will slow down in 2020

    Romanian media and entertainment industry growth will slow down in 2020

    The growth rate of the media and entertainment industry in Romania will reduce to 0.26% this year, from over 8% in 2019, due to the restrictions imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

    The market value to reach EUR 2,613 billion, according to the 21st edition of the PwC Global Entertainment & Media Outlook 2020 – 2024 (GEMO). Estimates show a return to growth in 2021 and an annual average growth rate of 6.76% by 2024.

    Romania is the least affected by the COVID-19 crisis among the Central and Eastern European markets included in the report and the only one that will increase in 2020.

    It is estimated that the other countries in the region will report decreases in 2020 from to the previous year: Hungary 7%, Poland 5% and the Czech Republic 5%.

    Performance by segments. Winners vs losers

    With most people at home, the OTT services market (e.g. Netflix or HBO Go) in Romania will have the highest year-on-year growth on the media and entertainment market, of 32% to EUR 29 million.

    It will also continue to grow in the coming years, with an annual average growth rate of 16.5%, and is expected to reach EUR 48 million by 2024.

    The second highest growth in the market is estimated for the segment of video games and e-sports (electronic sports), of 19% to EUR 136 million this year and rising to EUR 195 million in 2024.

    Internet acces spending at over EUR 1,2 bln

    Internet access spending continues to be the largest sector of the industry, with 47% of the market and a value of EUR 1.23 billion, following a 9.7% year-on-year increase.

    By 2024, it will reach EUR 1.89 billion, with an average annual increase of 11%.

    Over 7% increase for internet ads

    The next largest increase is estimated for internet advertising, of 7.4%, with a segment value of EUR 107 million. It will continue to grow by an average of 9% to EUR 153 million by 2024.

    With the market very responsive to consumer behaviour changes, mobile internet advertising is growing particularly strongly as smartphones become the main device of media consumption.

    Book sales, up 5%

    The restrictions caused by the pandemic also had a positive effect on book sales, which are estimated to have increased by 5.1% to EUR 69 million in 2020.

    The PwC report estimates an average annual growth rate of 2.42% by 2024.

    The film industry will report the largest decrease

    With cinemas closed and ticket revenues lost, the film industry will report the largest decrease, of 58% to EUR 26 million. By 2024, however, the sector is predicted to return to EUR 58 million, which will still be below the 2019 level of EUR 62 million.

    The outdoor advertising market has also contracted due to the pandemic, by 25% to EUR 25 million this year, but the prospects for 2024 show a recovery to EUR 43 million.

    The B2B media sector, which includes business information, directory advertising, trade magazines, professional books and trade shows, will post a decrease of 13.7% to EUR 194 million, but it will recover in the coming years at an average growth rate of 3.27% per year.

    Printed newspapers and magazines: -13%

    The pre-crisis decline in Romania’s printed newspapers and magazines sector has deepened during the pandemic, by 13% to EUR 62 million this year.

    It will remain at a similar level until 2024, when the market value is estimated to be EUR 61 million.

    Both the television and the video content consumed at home will have slight decreases this year estimated at 6%, with revenues falling to EUR 465 million. This is the second largest segment in Romania in terms of revenue generated, after internet access.

    In this context, TV advertising revenues are also expected to decrease by 7%, to EUR 295 million, but then increase from next year, reaching EUR 388 million by 2024.

    After growing last year, the radio, music and podcast segment is expected to fall by 9% this year to EUR 27 million, but it will return to growth and reach EUR 38 million in four years.

  • Five wealthiest Americans worth more than top 5 richest in China, Russia, India

    Five wealthiest Americans worth more than top 5 richest in China, Russia, India

    Data presented by Buy Shares indicates that the net worth of five richest Americans is more than the cumulative wealth of five richest individuals from China, Russia, and India.

    According to the data, the Americans account for $609.3 billion while their counterparts are worth $463.6 billion combined.

    Bezos wealth continues to surge

    From the overviewed countries, the combined wealth of China’s five richest stands at $207.6 billion, while India’s wealthy account for $143.6 billion. On the other hand, the top five Russian wealthy people have a net worth of $112.4 billion. 

    In total, the 20 richest people sampled from the four countries are worth $1.72 trillion. Jeff Bezos emerges as the richest person globally with a fortune of $205 billion as of August 26, 2020.

    Notably, Bezos is $88.8 billion richer than Microsoft founder Bill Gates who ranks as the second richest person in the world.

    The Buy Shares report notes the contribution of the coronavirus pandemic to the increasing wealth of the global billionaires.

    According to the report: ”During the coronavirus pandemic, the global billionaires are among the biggest beneficiaries. For example, Jeff Bezos crossed the $200 billion mark, a record milestone since Amazon was among the biggest beneficiaries of the pandemic.”

    The wealth of overviewed individuals is estimated based on their documented assets and also factoring liabilities like debts. 

  • The world’s most Instagramable perfume bottles. Christian Dior is first

    The world’s most Instagramable perfume bottles. Christian Dior is first

    OnBuy Fragances analysed globally recognised perfume brands and entered them into Instagram to see which scent is the most Instagramable.

    In first place is the designer that has provided show-stopping designs and scents for 73 years. So, it’s no wonder that Christian Dior came in with a whopping 33.4K hashtags making ”Miss Dior Cherie Eau De Parfum” the most Instagramable perfume bottle.

    #KeepingUpWithThePerfume. Notorious TV personality Kim Kardashian comes in at second place with her KKW BODY II at 16.5k hashtags.

    Falling a few K’s behind Kim K herself is the heart of the ocean ‘Blue Sapphire’. Boadicea the Victorious ranked third with 13.3K hashtags.

    Following the ocean theme, Aqua Allegoria by Guerlain came in fourth place with 11K hashtags.

    Lastly in top five break down is Fresh Couture by Moschino raking in 7.2K hashtags.

    Most frequently hashtagged

    Along with Kim Kardashian and Moschino, Viktor & Rolf and Marc Jacobs also showed up more than once on in the findings.

    Victor & Rolf came in at 6th with 4.8K hashtags and again at 14th place with 533 hashtags.

    The clutch bag design by Marc Jacobs sat at 10th place with 1.9K hashtags, and at 12th place with 1.000 hashtags.

  • Germany was the EU’s main producer of ice cream in 2019

    Germany was the EU’s main producer of ice cream in 2019

    In 2019, the EU produced more than 3 billion litres of ice cream, representing a 6% increase from the previous year, Eurostat says.

    Over the same period, EU Member States exported 222 thousand tonnes of ice cream to non-EU countries, worth a total of €723 million. In addition, imports of ice cream from countries outside the EU amounted to 82 thousand tonnes, worth a total of €180 million.

    Germany was the EU’s main producer of ice cream

    Among the EU Member States, Germany was the main producer of ice cream in 2019, producing 635 million litres of ice cream (amounting to 21% of the EU’s total ice cream production).

    Italy produced 554 million litres (18% of the EU’s total ice cream production). Meanwhile 2018 data show that France produced 451 million litres that year (or 15% of total production in 2019).

    France exported the most ice cream to countries outside the EU

    France exported a total of 55 thousand tonnes of ice cream in 2019, accounting for 25% of total extra-EU ice cream exports.

    This made it the largest ice cream exporter out of all EU Member States, ahead of the Netherlands (which exported 35 thousand tonnes of ice cream, or 16% of total extra-EU exports), Germany (29 thousand tonnes, or 13%), Italy (18 thousand tonnes, or 8%) and Spain (16 thousand tonnes, or 7%).

    UK main destination and source of EU’s exports and imports of ice cream

    The United Kingdom (UK) was the main destination for the EU’s exports of ice cream to non-EU countries. The EU Member States exported 128 thousand tonnes of ice cream to the UK (58% of total extra-EU ice cream exports).

    Other main destinations were Switzerland (12 thousand tonnes, or 5%) and China (7 thousand tonnes, or 3%).

    Imports of ice cream from non-EU countries came mainly from the United Kingdom (57 thousand tonnes of ice cream, or 70% of extra-EU ice cream imports), Serbia (16 thousand tonnes, or 19%) and Switzerland (2 thousand tonnes, or 2%).

  • Leonardo and Sofia, the most chosen names for newborns in Milan

    Leonardo and Sofia, the most chosen names for newborns in Milan

    Milanese parents remain faithful to the traditional names in the first half of 2020. Among the most popular surnames, however, there is a novelty: Hu surpasses the Italian Rossi also in the women’s ranking.

    Among the 4.856 babies born from January 1 to June 30, 213 were named Leonardo, 108 Sofia and 106 Giulia. They are followed by Thomas (153), Riccardo (123), Alessandro (122) and Lorenzo (120) for boys, Geneva (90), Alice (84), Camilla and Beatrice for girls (79).

    Foreign moms and dads also prefer the name Leonardo (58), which last year was only in 4th place.

    This year the surname Hu surpasses the Italian Rossi also in the women’s ranking: the Hu ladies are 2.210 compared to 2.133 named Rossi.

    In third place are ladies Colombo (1.832).

    The situation is the same among male surnames: 2.454 Hu, 1.873 Rossi and 1.543 Colombo.

    Fourth place for both genres is Ferrari (1.720 and 1.506 respectively).

  • Young people in the EU left the parental household at the age of 26.2 years

    Young people in the EU left the parental household at the age of 26.2 years

    In 2019, the share of young people aged 25 to 34 who were living with their parents ranged across the EU Member States from less than 10% in Denmark (4.0%), Finland (4.8%) and Sweden (5.7%), to more than half in Slovakia (56.4% in 2018), Greece (57.8%) and Croatia (62.0%).

    On average, young people in the EU left the parental household at the age of 26.2 years in 2019. However, this age varied significantly across the EU Member States, Eurostat shows.

    In 2019, young people left home earliest in the three northern Member States – Sweden (17.8 years), Denmark (21.1 years) and Finland (21.8 years), as well as in Luxembourg (20.1 years).

    Young people also left home before the age of 25 in Estonia (22.2 years), France (23.6 years), Germany and the Netherlands (both with 23.7 years).

    In the southern EU Member States young people move out at around 30

    At the other side of the scale, young adults in Croatia and Slovakia remained the longest in the parental household. They left home on average at the age of 31.8 and 30.9 years respectively.

    Young adults in Italy (30.1 years), Bulgaria (30.0 years), Malta (29.9 years), Spain (29.5 years), Portugal (29.0 years) and Greece (28.9 years) also remained with their parents for longer.

    Men stay longer at parental home than women

    In almost all EU Member States, young women tended to leave the parental household earlier than men. The only exception was Luxembourg (20.3 years for women, compared with 20.0 years for men).

    The largest differences between the genders were registered in Romania (25.7 years for women, compared with 30.3 for men), Bulgaria (27.6 vs. 32.1), Croatia (29.9 vs. 33.6), Latvia (24.8 vs. 28.1), Hungary (25.8 vs. 28.5) and Slovakia (29.6 vs. 32.1).

  • Bulgarian Parva Liga new season to start with public inside stadiums

    Bulgarian Parva Liga new season to start with public inside stadiums

    Bulgarian football Parva Liga new season starts Friday, August 7 and the presence of supporters in the stands will be allowed.

    The stadiums are allowed to be filled at 50% of capacity, according to an order of the Minister of Health.

    The maximum number of spectators in a sector is 1.000 people, who must be accommodated through a seat and at a physical distance of 1,5 meters between those present.

    CSKA Sofia will play in the first match of the season at the newly promoted CSKA 1948 Sofia, Friday, August 7.

  • 42% of births in the European Union are outside marriage

    42% of births in the European Union are outside marriage

    Eurostat shows that the proportion of live births outside marriage in the EU stood at 42% in 2018. This is 17 percentage points above the value in 2000.

    It signals new patterns of family formation alongside the more traditional model where children were born within a marriage. Extramarital births occur in non-marital relationships, among cohabiting couples and to lone parents.

    In 2018, extramarital births outnumbered births inside marriages in eight EU Member States: France (60%), Bulgaria (59%), Slovenia (58%), Portugal (56%), Sweden (55%), Denmark and Estonia (both 54%) as well as the Netherlands (52%).

    Greece and Croatia were at the other end of the spectrum along with Lithuania and Poland as more than 70% of births in each of these Member States occurred within marriages.

    Extramarital births increased in almost every EU Member State in 2018 compared to 2000

    The exceptions are Estonia, Latvia and Sweden that remained relatively stable with less than 1 percentage point decrease.

    The Iberian countries, Portugal and Spain, were the two countries where births outside marriage rose the most between 2000 and 2018 (+33.7 and +29.6 percentage points respectively).