EU Sets New Record With 47% Of Electricity From Renewables In 2024

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

January 23, 2025

The European Union has reached a new milestone, with a record 47% of its electricity generated from solar power and other renewable sources in 2024. This marks a significant step forward in the EU’s clean energy transition, further widening the gap between the bloc’s ambitious sustainability goals and the new U.S. administration’s increased focus on fossil fuels, according to the Associated Press.

Key Facts

Nearly 75% of the EU’s electricity is now produced without emitting greenhouse gases, with another 24% coming from nuclear power, according to a report by energy think tank Ember. This stands in stark contrast to countries like the U.S. and China, where around two-thirds of electricity is still derived from fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and gas.

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Experts are particularly encouraged by the EU’s progress in reducing fossil fuel use, especially as the U.S. appears poised to increase emissions under its new president. The administration has promised to lower gas prices, halt leases for wind projects, and roll back Biden-era incentives for electric vehicles.

Important Quote

“Fossil fuels are losing their influence on the EU’s energy mix. In 2024, solar will generate 11% of the EU’s electricity, surpassing coal, which has fallen below 10% for the first time. Clean wind power generated more electricity than gas for the second year in a row,” said Chris Roslow, an energy expert at Ember.

Tactical Insights

While 2024 data isn’t available for all countries, Ember’s data for 2023 shows that Brazil leads the world in renewable electricity, with nearly 89% of its energy coming from renewable sources, primarily hydroelectric power. Other leading countries include Canada at 66.5%, China at 30.6%, France at 26.5%, the U.S. at 22.7%, and India at 19.5%.

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Cyprus’ Strong Youth Employment Rate Still Does Not Guarantee Early Independence

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

September 16, 2026

Young people in Cyprus have a relatively high employment rate, but they leave the parental home later than the EU average, according to Eurostat data.

Cypriots left home at an average age of 27 in 2025, compared with 26.3 years across the EU. At the same time, 72.3% of people aged 20 to 29 in Cyprus were employed, well above the EU average of 65.5%.

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Strong Employment Does Not Mean Early Independence

Only nine countries recorded higher youth employment rates than Cyprus. Iceland led at 85.3%, followed by the Netherlands at 84%, Malta at 82.1%, Switzerland at 78.3% and Germany at 77%.

Norway recorded 76.5%, Ireland 76.1%, Denmark 74.8% and Austria 74.6%. Eurostat said countries where young people leave home earlier generally tend to have higher youth employment rates.

Southern Europe Sees Later Moves

Finland had the lowest average age for leaving the parental home at 21.4 years, followed by Denmark at 21.8 and Estonia and Lithuania at 22.7. Croatia recorded the highest average at 31.5 years, followed by Greece and Slovakia at 30.9. Spain and Italy both stood at 30.2 years.

Across the EU, the average has remained close to 26 since 2002, rising only slightly from 26.2 years in 2024 to 26.3 years in 2025.

Cyprus Labour Market Is Cooling

The figures come as Cyprus’ labor market shows some signs of easing, although demand for workers remains relatively strong by European standards.

Separate Eurostat data showed Cyprus had the EU’s largest annual decline in its job vacancy rate in the second quarter of 2026. The rate fell to 2.6% from 3.3% a year earlier, but remained above the EU average of 2.0% and the euro area average of 2.1%.

Cost Of Living Remains A Factor

Housing and other living costs can also affect how quickly young workers establish independent households. Eurostat reported that Cyprus’ household consumption price level was 89.2% of the EU average in 2025.

A relatively lower overall price level does not eliminate affordability pressures for people on modest incomes. For younger workers, the issue can be whether wages are sufficient to cover rent, utilities, food and other basic expenses.

Cyprus therefore combines relatively high youth employment with a later transition to independent living, suggesting that access to work and the ability to afford a separate household do not always move together.

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