EU Commissioner Hans van den Broek . US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright . And these figures do not include those jobs that are supported indirectly by European investment, like through supplier and dealer relationships. Divorce is on the rise in the EU while, simultaneously, marriage is on the wane. In terms of marriages, only 5.1 per 1,000 inhabitants occurred in 1995 in contrast to 7.6 per 1,000 in the 1970-74 period.
Marriage is most stable in Italy, where less than one in ten calls it quits.
In the other Mediterranean member states, the rate is under two in ten. It can also be an efficient tool for firms to respond to peaks in demand for goods and services. Finally, it meets specific conditions for people who like to combine it with education or family care. All member states, as well as the European Parliament, must ratify the treaty for it to take effect. Copyright European Union.