EU Average Research Articles

France in the EU Economic System: The Peerless Second

France and Germany have historically played pivotal roles in formulating and advancing the economic policy of the European Union. The conceptual frameworks of German ordoliberalism and French dirigisme underpin the dual foundations of European economic integration. The United Kingdom’s departure from the EU has reconfigured the composition of the Union’s core, amplifying Germany’s significance. This shift simultaneously elevates the Franco-German partnership while rendering France’s position within the Union increasingly contingent upon its tangible economic strength. This article seeks to examine the evolving role of France within the EU’s economic architecture, identify critical long-term trends, and forecast possible realignments in the balance of power within EU economic governance. The analysis includes an overview of France’s intellectual and executive contributions to European economic and monetary policies, followed by a comparative assessment of international statistical data, emphasizing GDP dynamics, demographic trends, per capita income, trade balance, and R&D investment.The findings reveal that, despite being the EU’s second-largest economy, France has exerted a disproportionate influence on the Union’s economic governance, surpassing that of any other member state. French representation in the upper echelons of EU economic and financial policymaking has been unmatched. In the contemporary geopolitical landscape, French dirigisme is experiencing a resurgence of relevance.Nevertheless, France’s share of the EU’s overall GDP has been progressively declining, even as its demographic contribution to the Union has grown. With respect to per capita income, France ranks 10th among EU member states, marking the lowest position among the core economies. The aftermath of the global financial crisis and the eurozone debt crisis has led to a significant erosion of France’s international competitiveness. Should these trends persist, projections indicate that France’s GDP per capita will fall below the EU average by the end of the decade, potentially signaling a shift from core to semi-peripheral status. This development would exacerbate the asymmetry within the Franco-German axis, complicating efforts to recalibrate EU economic governance and policy direction.

Prioritizing health, well-being, active ageing needs in Lithuania: insights from stakeholders

Abstract Background The rate of aging in Lithuania is faster than the EU average. The number of long-term health problems in older (65+yrs) people increases, posing changes in societal needs. The aim of our study was to identify the most important needs of older people in Lithuania. Methods Generic qualitative inquiry employed purposeful sampling of stakeholders in Lithuania: policymakers, administration, academia, civil society, health care, social service, public health, organizations of elderly. 43 experts, engaged in online focus groups, generated a list of needs for health, wellbeing, active ageing in elderly; they deliberated to prioritize top 5; scientific team condensed a list of 10 for voting to determine final 5 national needs. Research was done within project “Roadmap to improve the health and well-being of the ageing population in the Baltic Sea Region (AgeFLAG)”, 2020. Results Top needs identified were: shaping healthy lifestyle habits and motivation for change (72%) / age friendly environment and virtual assistive technologies (72%); person centred care (domiciliary care, residential care and nursing, social activities and etc. depending on the needs and wishes of the older person) (58%); increasing and maintaining physical capacity (56%); intersectoral collaboration and integration of social and health services (53%); establishment of positive public attitudes towards elderly people (50%). All stakeholders indicated that “Establishment of positive public attitudes towards elderly people” is the corner stone of all priorities for action to healthy ageing in Lithuania. Conclusions The main issue hindering active and healthy ageing in Lithuania - negative image of ageing in the society. Recommendations on the public health actions included promoting intergenerational conversation, reducing stigmas around ageing, strengthening social inclusion, generating age-friendly environments, and creating a safe space for self-realization and development. Key messages • The main issue hindering active and healthy ageing in Lithuania – negative image of ageing in the society. • The change in the population requires the transformation of health care and social care systems building age friendly environments in Lithuania.

Global Gain, but Local Loss—National Park and Municipal Revenues in Poland

The paper analyzes the problem of stagnation in the creation of new national parks in Poland, identifying key barriers and proposing solutions. The background to the study refers to the role of national parks in nature conservation, but at the same time highlights the problem of the limited development of the park network in Poland, which remains at 1.05% of the country’s area—well below the EU average. The main obstacles identified by the author are the resistance of local governments due to the reduction in forest tax revenues and the differences in salaries between employees of national parks and state forests. Research methods included legal and economic analysis and a review of the literature on national park management. The results indicate that the problem can be solved by adequate financial compensation to local communities and the introduction of a co-management model that integrates the interests of local governments and parks. The article suggests that a change in the approach of the government administration and a more participatory management model can help to break the stagnation and increase the number of national parks, which is relevant not only for Poland but also for other countries struggling with similar challenges.

Polycrisis, Megatrends – Tax Policy Trends and Responses

The EU relies heavily on labor taxation including social security contributions (accounting for more than half of all EU-27 tax revenues), though it can discourage labor market participation. Besides, ageing, digitalization, global markets, new forms of work and increasing labor mobility question the residence-based principle of personal income tax. The sustainability of the social security system can be promoted by additional behavioral tax (linked, for example, to the consumption of unhealthy products or the use of risky services). In the former socialist countries analyzed in this study (Croatia, Bulgaria, Latvia, Estonia, Hungary, Poland and Romania), the share of consumption taxes in total tax revenue is above 38%, well above the EU average. In countries with high consumption tax rates and significant consumption tax revenues, both labor and capital income tax revenues are typically below the EU average. The share of environmental taxes in tax systems is low, both on average in the EU and in the examined countries (although most of them are at or above average). Nonetheless, in the former socialist countries, the share of property taxes is lower than the EU average (for historical reasons, property taxation is less accepted by their societies). According to a Commission study published in 2024 (see: “Growth-Friendly Taxation in a High-Inflation Environment,” European Commission, European Economy Economic Brief 079), strengthening property taxation would help to make the tax system fairer, although not in a time of high inflation and crisis. Harnessing the potential of digitalization contributes to efficient and effective tax administration and can also reduce administrative costs, thus facilitating compliance. Latvia, Hungary and Poland recorded an exceptionally large improvement in VAT compliance, with VAT gaps falling between 2013 and 2021 by over 15 pp, which turned them into the best performers in the EU (Romania still faces challenges in the field of tax avoidance, VAT compliance gap and inefficient tax auditing). Tax administrations in most of the analyzed countries are therefore well adapted to the challenges of digitalization. The future tax system must implement a desirable green tax reform shifting a part of the tax burden away from labor to tax bases linked to environment taxes and other behavioral taxes – regarding the sustainability of the tax system as the European and national budgets face significant financial pressure due to the polycrisis, megatrends and EU loans. In the studied former socialist countries (Croatia, Bulgaria, Latvia, Estonia, Hungary and Romania) the share of consumption taxes in total tax revenue is above 38%, well above the EU average. In countries with high consumption tax rates and significant consumption tax revenues, both labour and capital income tax revenues are typically below the EU average. The share of environmental taxes in tax systems is low, both on average in the EU and in the countries studied (although most of them are at or above average). Though, in the former socialist countries the share of property taxes is lower than the EU average (for historical reasons, property taxation is less accepted by their society). According to a Commission study in 2024, strengthening property taxation would help to make the tax system fairer, although not in a time of high inflation and crisis. Harnessing the potential of digitalisation contributes to efficient and effective tax administration and can also reduce administrative costs, thus facilitating compliance. Latvia, Hungary and Poland recorded an exceptionally large improvement in VAT compliance, with VAT gaps falling between 2013 and 2021 by over 15 pp and currently they belong to the best performers in the EU. Tax administrations in most of the studied countries are therefore well adapted to the challenges of digitalisation. The future tax system must implement a desirable green tax reform shifting a part of the tax burden away from labour on to tax bases linked to environment taxes and other behavioural taxes – regarding the sustainability of tax system as the European and national budgets faces significant financial pressure due to the the policrisis, megatrends and EU loans.

Smokers' Characteristics Associated with Successful Smoking Cessation Undergoing Pharmacotherapy in Slovenia.

Tobacco use is a major global health problem, contributing to premature death and disability. In Slovenia, the prevalence of smoking is higher than the EU average, emphasizing the need for effective tobacco control measures. The aim of this study was to identify the characteristics of patients most likely to benefit from pharmacotherapy for smoking cessation. We performed cross-sectional analysis of factors associated with successful smoking cessation using pharmacotherapy for Slovenian smokers. A total of 176 (24.6%) smokers with an average age of 50 years agreed to receive pharmacotherapy for their smoking cessation attempt and were enrolled in the study. Participants were followed up at 4-week intervals during treatment and for 24 weeks after completion of pharmacotherapy. Attempts to quit smoking with prescription medications were successful in 24.4% of those willing to try. Female smokers, older persons, those with more children, with a lower self-perception of health, a higher number of cigarettes per day and a higher nicotine dependence were more likely to attempt to quit smoking. However, the strongest predictors of smoking cessation success were lower nicotine dependence, which was tested using the Fagerström test for nicotine dependence, and higher adherence to pharmacotherapy. Nicotine dependence and adherence to pharmacotherapy are the strongest predictors of a successful smoking cessation attempt. Identification of potential responders, prescription of pharmacotherapy and follow-up are applicable in the primary healthcare setting.

Management of sustainable land use projects in accordance with EU requirements

The purpose of the study was to conduct a comparative analysis of the management of sustainable land use development projects in Ukraine and the EU countries and to develop recommendations for improving Ukrainian practices in accordance with the requirements of the European Union. The methodology was based on a systematic approach and included the analysis of statistical data, an expert survey, and the calculation of an integral index of compliance with EU requirements. The study focused on three key aspects: restoration of degraded land, introduction of organic farming, and water management. The results revealed that Ukraine is lagging behind in all the parameters under study. In the area of restoration of degraded land, it was found that the area of restored land in Ukraine (8.4% of the total area of degraded land) is almost twice less than the average of the EU countries studied (16.8%). Investments in land restoration in Ukraine (310 EUR/ha) are only 39% of the EU average (792 EUR/ha). The analysis of the development of organic farming showed that the share of organic land in Ukraine (1.1% of the total agricultural area) is almost 6 times lower than the average for the EU countries under study (6.7%). The number of certified organic producers in Ukraine (3.2 per 100,000 population) is 6.4 times lower than the average for EU countries. In the field of water management, it was found that the irrigation efficiency in Ukraine (60%) is significantly lower than the EU average (77.4%), and the share of land with drip irrigation in Ukraine (5.2%) is 3.5 times lower than the EU average (18%). The calculation of the integral index of compliance with EU requirements showed that Ukraine (56 points) significantly lags behind the average of the EU countries studied (82.4 points). Based on the identified differences and successful practices of EU countries, a set of recommendations has been developed to improve the management of sustainable land use projects in Ukraine. Key recommendations include the development of a comprehensive national strategy, the creation of specialised financing funds, the introduction of economic incentives, the modernisation of monitoring systems, the harmonisation of standards with the EU, and large-scale educational campaigns. The study emphasises the need to significantly improve approaches to managing sustainable land use projects in Ukraine to bring them closer to EU standards and ensure efficient use of land resources

Socioeconomic determinants and reasons for non-acceptance to vaccination recommendations during the 3rd - 5th waves of the COVID-19 pandemic in Hungary

BackgroundIn Hungary, although six types of vaccines were widely available, the percentage of people receiving the primary series of COVID-19 vaccination remained below the EU average. This paper investigates the reasons for Hungary’s lower vaccination coverage by exploring changing attitudes towards vaccination, socio-demographic determinants, and individual reasons for non-acceptance during the 3rd - 5th pandemic waves of COVID-19.MethodsThe study’s empirical analysis is based on representative surveys conducted in Hungary between February 19, 2021, and June 30, 2022. The study used a total of 17 surveys, each with a sample size of at least 1000 respondents. Binomial logistic regression models were used to investigate which socio-demographic characteristics are most likely to influence vaccine hesitancy in Hungary. The study analysed 2506 open-ended responses to identify reasons for vaccine non-acceptance. The responses were categorised into four main categories and 13 sub-categories.ResultsBetween the third and fifth wave of the pandemic, attitudes towards COVID-19 vaccination have significantly changed. Although the proportion of vaccinated individuals has increased steadily, the percentage of individuals who reported not accepting the vaccine has remained almost unchanged. Socio-demographic characteristics were an important determinant of the observed vaccine hesitancy, although they remained relatively stable over time. Individuals in younger age groups and those with lower socioeconomic status were more likely to decline vaccination, while those living in the capital city were the least likely. A significant reason behind vaccine refusal can undoubtedly be identified as lack of trust (specifically distrust in science), facing an information barrier and the perception of low personal risk.ConclusionAlthough compulsory childhood vaccination coverage is particularly high in Hungary, voluntary adult vaccines, such as the influenza and COVID-19 vaccines, are less well accepted. Vaccine acceptance is heavily affected by the social-demographic characteristics of people. Mistrust and hesitancy about COVID-19 vaccines, if not well managed, can easily affect people’s opinion and acceptance of other vaccines as well. Identifying and understanding the complexity of how vaccine hesitancy evolved during the pandemic can help to understand and halt the decline in both COVID-19 and general vaccine confidence by developing targeted public health programs to address these issues.

Comparative Analysis of the Quality of Working Life in Ukraine and in EU Countries

The quality of working life is an influential factor in determining the direction of labor movement between countries and between corporations within a country. Countries that offer the best living conditions, financial state support, social integration programs, decent working conditions and wages have become the center of attraction for Ukrainian refugees after the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The purpose of this study was to conduct a comparative analysis of the quality of working life in Ukraine and the European Union to assess the possibilities of returning refugees to Ukraine and attracting new labor from European countries during its recovery and implementation of steps towards sustainable development. A comparative analysis of key characteristics of the quality of working life shows that Ukraine is significantly inferior to EU countries. Macroeconomic conditions, employment rate and share of informal employment, income and wages, length of working week and annual guaranteed leave are key groups of indicators that require attention and direct or indirect influence to adjust them to the EU average. The article identifies the priority tasks for bridging the gap between the quality of working life in Ukraine and European countries, in particular by eliminating structural imbalances in the labor market.

Exploring the Gendered Dynamics of Work and Family Life. A Secondary Descriptive Analysis in the Romanian Context

This paper focuses on work and family life in Romania, with particular emphasis on gender, seen as a social structure. The methodology employs the secondary descriptive analysis of data drawn from NIS, Eurostat, and the European Value Survey/World Value Survey datasets. The findings show a Romanian work landscape with slow progress in embracing work flexibility, with considerably lower percentages of remote work and part-time employment compared to EU averages. A notable gender disparity exists in the professional sector. Women exhibit a 18.8% lower participation in economic activities compared to men, a gap that increases with the number of children. Moreover, 36.5% of women, in contrast to 2.7% of men, are professionally inactive due to familial responsibilities. These results align with Nancy Fraser’s (2013) viewpoint on how the intersection between capitalism and patriarchy shapes women experiences. The lack of family-friendly work structures disproportionately impacts women, leaving them vulnerable professionally and financially. Family continues to be the most important institution for Romanians, with trends regarding age of marriage and child births mirroring previous years. While there's a gradual decrease in unpaid household and childcare activities, it is mostly due to technological progress (Popescu, 2009) while women still work “double shifts” (Hochschild, 2012). The paper’s findings highlight that cultural norms and societal pressure compels women to prioritize family responsibilities. Creating “brave new families” (Stacy, 1990) or fostering “confluent love” (Giddens, 1992) requires post-modern cooperation between partners, backed by multi-level actions (Walby, 1989) at individual, organizational and societal levels.

Statistics on Income and Living Conditions (SILC) Survey in the Czech Republic: Methodology and History

EU-SILC is a survey focused mainly on mapping income and living conditions of households. In the Czech Republic, the survey has been conducted annualy since 2005 under the name “Životní podmínky” (Living Conditions). Each year, approximately 10 thousand households are surveyed – around one quarter of these households for the first time, while the rest repeatedly as part of the four-year rotating panel. As the EU-SILC has a uniform methodology for all participating countries, the results for the Czech Republic can be compared with other European countries or with the EU average. The Living Conditions survey was introduced in the context of the Czech Republic´s integration into the EU. However, similar surveys focused on households and their current living situation have been conducted regularly in the former Czechoslovakia since 1956. This article focuses primarily on methodology of SILC, but also offers a brief overview of the living conditions surveys in former Czechoslovakia and in present-day Czech Republic.

The effect of successful educational actions in transition from primary to secondary school.

While data show improvement in terms of educational access, dropout rates are significant in many countries. In Spain, 28% of students drop out of school without finishing secondary school, more than double the EU average. Thus, extensive research has shown the consequences of the dropout phenomenon, including negative effects on employment, welfare dependency, as well as health and emotional problems. The transition from primary to secondary education is a critical turning point. This situation worsens in the case of refugee and migrant minors who are refugees or with migrant backgrounds. Although there is strong evidence revealing the potential of SEAs to advance educational success for all in different contexts, no research has yet explored the effect of SEAs on enabling a successful transition from primary to secondary education, which could considerably impact decreasing dropout rates. Drawing on a qualitative case study of a secondary educational centre in Spain, this study analyses the impact of the implementation of three SEAs in key aspects related to primary-secondary transitions. Findings show how the systematic implementation of SEAs impacts the ease of the primary-secondary transition: positive relationships between the educational community are promoted, school connectedness across transition is strengthened, and academic support networks are enhanced. The study therefore suggests the benefits of SEAs as strategies that can enhance positive primary-secondary school transitions in terms of students' perception of belongingness, and academic performance.

The Use of Information Technology in SMEs: Advantages and Main Challenges

Abstract From the beginning of the 20th century, a lot of research has been conducted on how SMEs contribute to the development of innovative activities and vice versa, on how new technologies and innovation have the potential to influence small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Nowadays, given the highly competitive and dynamic business environment, SMEs are constantly and actively trying to find ways to keep up with the latest developments, which is not always an easy task. Digital technologies and innovation in business administration and other related fields are key attributes that can be seen as essential elements in the field of entrepreneurship. Thus, digitization has become a crucial factor in the business world, and its impact on SMEs cannot be neglected. Nonetheless, company size, capital and resources seem to limit SMEs’ ability to adopt digital technologies. However, countless studies argue that a smaller firm size allows SMEs to be more flexible to change. Therefore, both digital progress and innovation have become highly relevant tools for businesses to improve their performance, reduce their costs and increase their efficiency, and are seen as key factors for competitiveness, development and economic growth. With this paper we understand how Romania, with its expanding economy and support for entrepreneurs, has the potential to be a relevant player in the digital economy, although its current ranking on the level of digitization and innovation is considerably lower than the EU average.

The experience of identifying territorial units and managing the development of rural areas in the European Union and the directions of its use in domestic practice

The article is devoted to the generalization of approaches to the identification of territorial units and management of the rural areas development in the EU and the justification of the need for its use in domestic practice. It was established that several different approaches to the identification of rural territories and territorial units were tested during the nearly twenty-year preparatory period (typology based on a 1 km2 grid; typologies at the LAU 2 level, in particular the degree of urbanization, etc.; at the NUTS 3 levels, in particular urban-rural typology, etc.). which were improved and presented in the Methodological manual on territorial typologies. Today, this technique is basic in establishing the common statistical classification of territorial units (NUTS). It is summarized that cohesion policy is aimed at reducing regional disparities and promoting economic and social cohesion, as well as territorial convergence between EU member states, which has been carried out since the founding of the EU in 1957. In 1992, thefourth cohesion policy fund was created - the Cohesion Fund (FZ) - to finance projects to improve the state of the environment and transport infrastructure in member states where the GNP per capita is less than 90% of the EU average. It was revealed that the formation of the Just Transition Fund in 2021, which corresponds to the EU “green” transition paradigm, was an addition to the institutional architecture. It is argued that the European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF) are the main financial instrument for supporting cohesion policy and include the following components: ERDF (European Regional Development Fund), ESF (European Social Fund), Cohesion Fund (FZ), European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) and the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF). The ERDF has been identified as the largest component of the ESIF, which focuses on promoting economic and social cohesion by investing in infrastructure, innovation and entrepreneurship. This Fund was found to support projects related to transport, energy, digital infrastructure, research and innovation, and the transition to a low-carbon economy. It is emphasized that this fund contributes to employment, social integration and development of skills of the population. The peculiarities of the cohesion fund, which provides financial assistance to member countries whose GNI per capita is below a certain threshold level, have been considered. It has been established that this fund supports large-scale infrastructure projects in the fields of transport, energy and the environment. At the same time, the EAFRD and EMFF funds support rural development and fisheries respectively, contributing to the overall objectives of cohesion policy. It has been proven that since 2013, the development of multi-year programs for the development of rural areas of the EU countries has been focused on six priorities of sustainable development: promoting the transfer of knowledge and innovations; increasing competitiveness; promoting the organization of the food production chain and risk management; restoration, preservation and development of ecosystems; increasing the efficiency of resource use and transition to a low-carbon economy; promotion of social integration, reduction of poverty and economic development in rural areas. The European Green Course, which aims to make Europe the first climate-neutral continent by 2050, is analyzed. As for agriculture and food, the Green Deal envisages measures to increase sustainability in land management, food production and consumption, in particular through measures that will be included in the strategic plans of the common agricultural policy. Activities and practical actions in domestic practice regarding the creation of conditions for the implementation of the European experience regarding the identification of territorial units and the readiness to participate in attracting financial allocations within the framework of current programs based on the implementation of regulatory and legal support and the ability to master the allocated financial funds in full have been determined. Key words: rural territories, territorial units, cohesion fund, green course, sustainable development priorities, structural funds.

Policies and tools for climate change policy implementation: a panel data analysis at industrial and commercial level

Climate change is a very debated topic among academia, national and international institutions. Therefore, policies and tools for diminishing pollutant emissions are in place in a number of countries. Among them, taxation and renewable energy use seem to be among the most important. This paper aims at testing the impact of certain tools for climate change policy implementation, such as environmental taxes, renewable energy use, real productivity, employment rate taking into consideration the level of economic development and the GINI coefficient, on the greenhouse gas emissions in two important sectors of the economy: industry and commerce. Panel data analysis is used for a cluster of nine developing countries of the European Union that have the per capita GDP at purchasing power parity lower than 80% of the EU average, during 2008–2021. Similar to other studies, the results show a negative relationship between environmental taxation and greenhouse gas emissions in the industrial sector, and a positive one in the commercial sector. The latter is explained by the fact that transport, which is a main pollutant sector, is also one of the most difficult sectors to achieve green transition, given high associated costs. The analysis also shows that renewable energy use discourages the emissions of greenhouse gases, both in the industrial and commercial sectors, so that fostering investment in renewables is an important factor for addressing climate change and promoting a sustainable growth.

Status of Healthy Choices, Attitudes and Health Education of Children and Young People in Romania—A Literature Review

Background and Objectives: This study aims to assess the health status and factors influencing healthy choices among children and young people in Romania, as well as the efficacy of related health education programs. Through understanding these dynamics, the study seeks to provide insights that can shape targeted interventions, policies, and educational strategies to improve this demographic’s overall health and well-being. Materials and Methods: For this study, we performed a literature review of original published papers on the health status, healthy habits, health education, predisposition to making healthy choices in the future, and accessibility to the paediatric health system of Romanian children and young people, as well as the effects of different types of educational interventions on this demographic in Romania. Results: The prevalence of dental caries is high in Romania. In terms of eating habits and nutritional status, a worrying proportion of children are overweight or obese, which can lead to a variety of future physical and psychological problems. In terms of physical activity, few adolescents demonstrate regular fitness practices. Romania presents an increase in alcohol and tobacco consumption among adolescents. The mental health of students has become a pressing public health concern, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. The use of social networks is linked to mental health issues among young people. Romania still has one of the highest rates of sexually transmitted diseases and faces a high incidence of cervical cancer, with a mortality rate three times higher than the EU average. High rates of teenage pregnancies are linked to limited information about sexuality and a lack of access to family planning at a young age. There are large discrepancies in the accessibility of medical services between urban and rural areas. Conclusions: Romania faces significant obstacles to providing high-quality healthcare to children and young people. Improving nutrition, immunisation rates, and access to medical services represent essential areas for enhancing the health of children and young people in Romania.

Uranium concentrations and its isotopes in baby food of Iraq

Abstract This study determines uranium concentrations and isotopes (238U, 235U, and 234U) in baby food samples collected from Iraqi markets using solid-state nuclear track detector technical (CR-39). Also, some radiological hazard parameters such as annual committed effective dose (E U) and risk of an excess cancer fatality per million persons (RECFPMP) for the same study samples were calculated using theoretical equations. The samples in the present study were classified into three varieties: cereals and cereal products, vegetables and fruits, and biscuits. The results show that the average uranium concentration (mg/kg or ppm) values in cereals and cereal products, vegetables and fruits, and biscuits were 0.71 ± 0.01, 0.81 ± 0.04, and 0.72 ± 0.031, respectively. At the same time, the average values of 238U, 235U, and 234U in all samples of the present study were 9.08 ±0.17 Bq/kg, 0.42 ± 0.0081 Bq/kg, and 9.33 ± 0.18 Bq/kg, respectively. The total average of E U (mSv/y) due to all uranium isotopes (238U, 235U, and 234U) in cereals and cereal products, vegetables and fruits, and biscuits were 0.042 ± 0.0006, 0.039 ± 0.001, and 0.034 ± 0.001, respectively. Moreover, it was found that the average values of RECFPMP were 0.159 ± 0.002 in cereals and cereal products samples, 0.154 ± 0.007 in vegetables and fruits samples, and 0.130 ± 0.005 in biscuits samples. Uranium concentrations and the total annual committed effective dose in all baby food samples comply with the worldwide limits approved by UNSCEAR, which state safe limitations (1.7 mg/kg) and (0.32 mSv/y), respectively. So, one may conclude that there is no danger of uranium concentrations in the case of baby consumption.

Characteristics of household energy consumption in the shadow of the Russia-Ukraine war - a case study from Hungary

This study aims to identify the factors affecting household energy consumption by applying spatial econometric models. Our findings suggest that sharp energy price growth is followed by significant reductions in household energy consumption, but it is difficult to distinguish specific consumer groups. Weather conditions are of particular importance (compared to the EU average). The results highlight two things: a) the problem of obsolete housing stock and the need for energy efficiency improvements and b) low energy awareness of households, especially before the energy crisis. Furthermore, hotspots with higher per capita gas consumption are also identified in Hungary. The geographical dimension is crucial, and it is not possible to make general decisions on energy efficiency issues. Effective results can be achieved through spatially concentrated interventions.

Municipal waste management performance: a focus on Slovakia and its LAU-1 districts

In this paper, we analyse the changes made to the basic EU directive on waste and assess its impact on the waste legislation of EU members. We then examine the Slovak waste strategies/programs that have implemented the EU directive on waste, namely the Waste Prevention Program, the Waste Management Program, and the Envirostrategy 2030. Based on EU waste legislation, the Environmental Strategy 2030 sets the waste treatment aims for Slovakia until 2030. However, it is questionable whether Slovakia will achieve the set goals. Our research indicates that as of 2021, Slovakia’s rate of waste incineration with energy recovery and landfilling rate of municipal waste are below the EU average, while the recycling rate, both for materials and composting and digestion, is higher. In our quantitative analysis, we examine the progress of waste management performance in Slovakia from 2017 to 2021, focusing on the LAU-1 districts. We estimate composite efficiency indicators using the techniques of Data Envelopment Analysis and Malmquist Indices. In accordance with the hierarchy of waste treatment methods, the applied models consider desirable waste operations variables (recycling and incineration with energy recovery) and undesirable waste operation variables (landfilling). Our results reveal significant variations in efficiency across the LAU-1 districts. The average technical efficiency of the 72 districts has improved from 0.714 in 2017 to 0.852 in 2021, indicating that the performance of districts is generally improving and catching up with the best-performing districts. The total performance, as measured by the Malmquist index, has improved by 45.5 %. Districts with access to waste incineration facilities with energy recovery have exhibited higher efficiency scores, benefitting from this advantage.

Comparison of essential indicators related to the personal income tax burden in the EU countries

Agriculture performs productive functions and is an essential provider of job opportunities. The labour force is one of the important factors affecting agricultural and food production. In general, the business environment affects, among other things, employers' and employees' personal income tax burden. Increasing the efficiency of business activity is inevitably associated with achieving the lowest possible costs. It can be concluded that labor and other personal costs represent, on average, 30-60% of the costs of the agricultural product. In general, taxation of individuals engaged in agriculture with personal income tax does not differ from taxation of individual's income in other sectors of the national economy. The paper focuses on assessing indicators related to the personal income tax burden in the EU countries for the years 2008-2020 based on the data from the Eurostat Tax Classification presented by descriptive characteristics. Achieved results are compared within the EU Member States and for particular countries with an EU-27 average. The West EU countries implement tax and fiscal policies compared to the East EU countries, which are not subject to significant changes in the tax system and thus ensure relatively stable tax revenues to public budgets regarding total taxes and employment income, including unchanged personal income tax rates. The East EU countries declare a lower tax burden of personal income tax. Still, due to the competitiveness of the countries, this burden is also being gradually reduced in the reviewed period in the case of the West EU countries, thus bringing closer unification of the tax policies. Slovakia achieved below-average values of all assessed indicators and at the same time high variability.

Evolutions of Labor Tax at The Eu 27 Level, Comparisons, Romania In Relation to The Eu 27

This paper aims to analyze the evolution over a period of thirteen years (2009-2021) , of Labour Tax Revenues, expressed as a share in GDP (% of GDP), both at EU-27 level and for Romania in relation to the countries of the European Union (in terms of percentage values and hierarchical position). The motive behind the study lies in the importance of studying the evolution of Labour Tax Revenues, both for European Union – EU27 and for Romania, over a period of thirteen years (2009-2021): to know the position of different Member Countries with lower or higher level of Labour Tax Rate compared to EU-27 average; the evolution of revenue from Labour Tax in Romania in relation to EU 27, its hierarchical position towards the EU-27 countries. The study containing data analysis, graphs and tables (represented on the basis of European Union data) resulting from the evolution of Labour Tax Revenue, expressed as a share in GDP, both for the European Union – EU27 and for Romania, on the interval 2009-2021, it was desired to be original towards the frequent analyzes encountered in the specialized papers. The methodology used in the study was the research from specilezed literature, processing of ideas through the author’s own interpretation, the collection of statistical database, analysis of the announced elements, representation in graphs and tables, in order to highlight the results obtained. Summary of the findings reflects the synthesis of ideas resulted from data analyzed concerning the evolution of Labour Tax Revenues, expressed as a share in GDP, at EU-27 level and of Romania in relation to the countries of the European Union, for the period 2009-2021.