> [...] or even 50 years ago. This is accurate on a 100 year scale but completely off if you take into consideration the last 20 years, at least in the Europea

> [...] or even 50 years ago. This is accurate on a 100 year scale but completely off if you take into consideration the last 20 years, at least in the European side of the Mediterranean sea it has been all downhill after the 2008 financial crisis. There is a population-wise psychological depression that stems from the economic depression and everything that followed. The 90s were good, the 00s were okay-ish but after 2005 and specifically after 2008 Europe has been "steadily declining". New generations have very little to look forward to and it shows. The Economist's democracy index, measured world-wide, is steadily declining btw. Europe is going right-wing. Would have been a lot easier to start a business in 2001 than in 2023, even though in 2023 you can do part of the paperwork online, start "a business from your couch", etc.