Japan and Italy Invest More in Space Programs
Japan and Italy have both doubled their space budgets as a share of GDP between 2010 and 2025, reaching about 0.1 percent each. In Europe, Italy’s higher spending is tied to its role in the ESA program, while France, Germany and the UK also remain significant but more moderate spenders.
The shift matters because space investment is increasingly a policy and industrial issue in Europe, not just a U.S. one. For sales and marketing teams, this can signal growing demand in aerospace, defense, satellite and data services across EU markets, especially in Eastern Europe where budgets are rising from a low base.
A Long Time Ago, in a Galaxy Far, Far Away
Statista published survey data showing that science fiction is a popular genre in Brazil and Spain, where more than half of respondents say they watch it. In the U.S., about one third of viewers watch science fiction, with higher interest among men and older generations than among Gen Z.
For European media and streaming companies, the data points to continued demand for sci-fi content in large markets such as Spain and Germany. It is also relevant for sales and marketing teams planning genre-led campaigns, since audience interest varies by country and age group.
It’s Getting Crowded up in Space
The number of known objects in Earth orbit has risen to almost 36,000, with space junk and active payloads now close in size. The increase is driven by more satellite launches, especially internet constellations such as Starlink and Kuiper.
This matters for Europe because more crowded orbits raise the risk of collisions and service disruptions for satellite operators, broadcasters and navigation services. It also increases pressure on regulators and insurers as the commercial space market expands.
More Than Half of All Countries Have a Satellite in Space
More than half of all countries now have at least one satellite in orbit, according to an OECD report cited by Statista. The number has more than doubled since the turn of the millennium, while far fewer countries can still launch payloads themselves.
For Europe, this signals a wider spread of satellite-based services, from communications to Earth observation, but also stronger dependence on a small set of launch providers. For sales and marketing teams in telecom, logistics, and media, it underlines growing demand for satellite-enabled coverage and data products across the region.
PISA 2025 Reveals Steep Decline in Math & Reading Skills
PISA 2025 showed the lowest-ever average scores in science, mathematics and reading across the 36 OECD countries included in the study. Reading fell by 16 points versus 2022, while math and reading have weakened more sharply since 2018.
For Europe, the findings raise concerns about future workforce skills and productivity, especially in sectors that rely on analytical and communication abilities. For Sales and Marketing teams, weaker literacy and numeracy can also affect talent pipelines, customer understanding and the ability to process information in an AI-heavy environment.
PISA Links Frequent AI Use With Lower Science Scores
The OECD’s PISA 2025 results show that 15-year-olds who use AI almost every day for specific school tasks score lower in science than peers who use it less often or not at all. The gap is roughly equal to one additional year of schooling, which matters for European education systems as schools expand AI use and need to protect core skills and learning outcomes.
Education Is a Major Driver of Personal AI Usage
AI education use is among the top three personal use cases in most countries surveyed by Statista Consumer Insights. The share is highest in Indonesia and India, while Germany and the U.S. are lower, largely reflecting overall AI adoption levels rather than different use patterns.
For Europe, the finding suggests that AI literacy and classroom policy will remain important as consumer use expands. For sales and marketing teams, it also points to education-related AI use cases as a relevant segment for product positioning, especially in markets such as Germany where adoption is still more moderate.
Tourism’s Benefits Outweigh Downsides for European Residents
A new Statista infographic based on the MMGY Resident Sentiment Index Survey 2026 shows that European residents broadly see tourism as a net positive. It matters for travel brands and destination marketers in Europe because residents strongly link tourism with culture and local economies, but are less positive about its effect on their immediate surroundings.
Progress & Stagnation: Women in the Labor Force
Female labor force participation has increased in many countries over the past three decades, but it still trails male participation almost everywhere. Statista highlights that France, Germany and the UK are now in the 73 to 77 percent range, while India and the U.S. remain weaker.
For Europe, the gap matters because higher female participation expands the talent pool at a time of tight labor markets. It is also relevant for Sales and Marketing, since more working women support broader household income growth and shape demand in consumer and B2B segments.
How U.S. Trade Union Membership Compares
U.S. union membership has fallen from 20.1 percent of workers in 1983 to 9.9 percent in 2024, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. OECD data show wide cross-country differences, with Iceland at 90.6 percent and the OECD average at 15.2 percent. This matters for European employers and sales teams because union strength still shapes wage negotiations, labor costs and strike risk in many markets. For companies active in Europe, the U.S. decline also highlights how different local labor relations can affect market entry and workforce planning.
Latest U.S. opinion polls
Ipsos released new U.S. polling on the 25th anniversary of 9/11. Most Americans say the attacks had a major impact on the U.S. and the world, while views are split on whether the country is safer from foreign terrorist attacks than before.
For Europe, the main relevance is in how long security and geopolitical shocks remain part of public sentiment in large markets. For sales and marketing teams, this kind of polling often supports messaging that reflects safety, resilience, and stability rather than short-term campaigns.
Ipsos Reputation Council Report 2025
Ipsos released the 2025 edition of its Reputation Council Report, based on interviews with 161 senior communications leaders across 19 global markets. The report says Chief Communications Officers are moving from messaging to strategic guidance, with many favouring “strategic silence” over public activism on divisive issues.
For Europe, this matters because reputational risk, ESG messaging and geopolitical tension are shaping how multinationals communicate across markets. For Sales and Marketing teams, the findings point to tighter messaging discipline and more cautious brand positioning in public-facing campaigns.
Insights to Activate
Ipsos has published “Insights to Activate,” a quarterly series of short publications on timely topics, with the page highlighting themes such as AI, audience, ESG and brand. For European sales and marketing teams, the series signals where Ipsos sees actionable research priorities, especially around consumer attitudes and brand planning. It may be useful for teams looking to align campaigns and messaging with current market sentiment in Europe.
Why Americans are so pessimistic about the cost of living
Ipsos says 74% of Americans think the cost of living is on the wrong track, while 13% say it is heading in the right direction. The company says concerns span groceries, housing, gas and healthcare, and that financial discomfort is driving the pessimism.
For Europe, the findings underline how inflation and everyday affordability remain central to consumer sentiment. For Sales and Marketing teams, this points to continued pressure on pricing, value messaging and demand in categories tied to household budgets.
The economy: Key insights, data and solutions on inflation, recession, consumer confidence and more
Ipsos says its latest economy coverage shows Americans remain pessimistic about the cost of living, with 74% saying it is on the wrong track. The findings matter for Europe because they reinforce how persistent price pressure can shape consumer sentiment, a pattern that also affects purchasing behavior, value messaging, and demand planning for Sales and Marketing teams.
Gen Z: Key takeaways, data, and strategic insights
Ipsos published a Gen Z content hub compiling recent data and reports on the cohort’s attitudes, behaviours, and life-stage expectations. The material highlights that traditional milestones such as home ownership, marriage, and parenthood still matter, which is relevant for European marketers planning around younger audiences’ financial pressure and media habits.
iPhone Users Are as Loyal as They Come
Apple’s upcoming smartphone lineup may face a pricing test, but more than 90 percent of iPhone users in the U.S. say they are likely to stay with Apple when upgrading. The finding matters for Europe because it points to unusually strong retention in a premium device segment, which supports long customer lifecycles and stable demand for accessories, services, and app ecosystems. For sales and marketing teams, that level of loyalty also raises the bar for rival handset brands trying to win switchers.
Latest U.S. opinion polls
Ipsos says most Americans believe the 9/11 attacks had a major impact on the U.S. and the world. The finding matters in Europe because it underscores how long security perceptions and foreign policy debates can remain shaped by major U.S. events, which can affect transatlantic messaging and public sentiment.