Belgian Presidency of the Council of the European Union

Almost a third of European citizens smoke, with an average of 14.4 cigarettes smoked per day.

40% of EU citizens play sport at least once a week.

In 2008 renewable energy contributed 10,3% of energy consumption in the EU 27.

In 2008, 17% of the population in the EU 27 were at risk of poverty.

In 2008, foreign citizens made up 6% of the EU 27 population.

Eight out of ten citizens (79%) think it is important that the EU funds humanitarian aid outside its borders.

Only 20% of Europeans are almost certain that they will not travel in 2010.

The state of Europeans' oral health appears to vary considerably across the European Union. A firm majority of Europeans, however, claim to have no particular problems related to the condition of their teeth.

Forests and other wooded land cover 177 million hectares or 42% of the terrestrial area of the 27 Member States of the European Union.

Europeans express strong dissatisfaction with the way inequalities and poverty are addressed.

The Northeast Atlantic is the most important fishing area for the EU-27 Member States.

Each year since 1983, the European Parliament and the Council have focused the attention of both the public and national governments on a specific theme. The European years designated for the period between 2005 and 2010 have been closely allied to the social agenda: workers’ mobility (2006), equal opportunities for all (2007), intercultural dialogue (2008), creativity and innovation (2009), combating poverty and social exclusion (2010).

Historically, many EU countries have welcomed both skilled and unskilled migrant workers. This situation is likely to continue as the EU’s population ages.

More than one in seven persons in employment worked under a temporary contract in the EU‑27 in 2008.

In the EU‑27, one third of the population aged 16 to 74 had never used the Internet in 2008.