tic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Rockwell SCHNABEL
embassy: 13 Zinnerstraat/Rue Zinner, B-1000 Brussels
mailing address: same as above
telephone: [32] (2) 508-2222
FAX: [32] (2) 512-5720

Flag description:
on a blue field, 12 five-pointed gold stars arranged in a circle,
representing the union of the peoples of Europe; the number of stars
is fixed

Economy European Union

Economy - overview:
Domestically, the European Union attempts to lower trade barriers,
adopt a common currency, and move toward convergence of living
standards. Internationally, the EU aims to bolster Europe's trade
position and its political and economic power. Because of the great
differences in per capita income (from $10,000 to $28,000) and
historic national animosities, the European Community faces
difficulties in devising and enforcing common policies. For example,
both Germany and France since 2003 have flouted the member states'
treaty obligation to prevent their national budgets from running
more than a 3% deficit. In 2004, the EU admitted 10 central and
eastern European countries that are, in general, less advanced
technologically and economically than the existing 15. Twelve EU
member states introduced the euro as their common currency on 1
January 1999. The UK, Sweden, and Denmark do not now participate;
the 10 new member states may choose to adopt the euro when they meet
the EU's fiscal and monetary criteria and the member states so agree.

GDP (purchasing power parity):
$11.65 trillion (2004 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:
2.4% (2004 est.)

GDP - per capita:
purchasing power parity - $26,900 (2004 est.)

GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 2.2%
industry: 28.3%
services: 69.4% (2004 est.)

Labor force:
215 million (various)

Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture 4.5%, industry 27.4%, services 66.9%
note: the remainder is in miscellaneous public and private sector
industries and services (2004)

Unemployment rate:
9.5% (2004 est.)

Population below poverty line:
See individual country listings

Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 2.9%
highest 10%: 25.4% (1995 est.)

Distribution of family income - Gini index:
31.2 (2003 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices):
2.1% (2004 est.)

Investment (gross fixed):
percent of GDP - 19.5% of GDP (2004 est.)

Agriculture -