It's because Europe has a higher proportion of retired people, and European workers get more holidays, better pensions and better unemployment benefits. When yo

It's because Europe has a higher proportion of retired people, and European workers get more holidays, better pensions and better unemployment benefits. When you work out the productivity per hour worked, Europe comes out ahead: https://www.economist.com/graphic-detail/2023/10/04/productivity-has-grown-faster-in-western-europe-than-in-america https://www.economist.com/graphic-detail/2023/10/04/producti...