Exhibit A The problem is that China and the US have about half of the world’s wealth. The EU (plus uk and other EEA) control another quarter. So as annoying as it is, the EU can either negotiate with one country (USA/China) or 160+ (the rest of the world) to achieve the same financial gain. Of course economics are not everything, but when you understand the picture above, you can start seeing the problem.

Can you explain what you mean please.

No need to nitpick because you’re comparing apples to oranges, so I’m trying to understand what you even mean by social security and pensions. All the EEA countries provide free or accessible health care and state pensions by the state and/or military. And the reason why you’re statement doesn’t compute for me is because a lot of the “big ones + scandinavia” are conscription countries that provide everything while you’re in service and you would get military pension if you decide to stay in the army professionally after your mandatory time is over.

When you say “Europeans don’t” which country are you referring to exactly?

I think you misunderstood how the report works. The rankings are from people answering the poll using cantril ladder scoring. Then academics try to look at different statistics in that country to try to explain why people gave their country that score. The academics don’t score the countries.