Europe is in the midst of an economic crisis. The European Union (EU) is facing a number of structural problems that are hampering its ability to grow and prosper. In this blog post, we will examine some of the main structural problems facing the EU economy. The European Union is a unique economic and political entity. It is made up of 28 member states, each with its own currency, laws, and government. The EU has its own Parliament, Commission, and Court of Justice. It is also a major player in the global economy, with a GDP of more than $16 trillion. 

However, the EU is facing a number of structural problems that are hindering its economic growth. 

1. The first problem is the high level of unemployment in the EU. The unemployment rate in the EU was 9.3% in 2016, which is more than double the rate in the United States (4.7%). This high level of unemployment is a drag on the EU economy, as it reduces the amount of consumer spending and investment. 
2. The second problem is the low level of productivity in the EU. Productivity is a measure of how much output (in goods and services) is produced per hour of work. The EU's productivity is about 20% below the United States. This means that it takes the EU workers longer to produce the same amount of output as their counterparts in the United States. 
3. The third problem is the large amount of government debt in the EU. The government debt-to-GDP ratio in the EU was 90.3% in 2016. This is a very high level of debt, and it is a burden on the EU economy. 
4. The fourth problem is the high level of taxation in the EU. The top marginal tax rate in the EU is 50%. This is a very high rate, and it discourages work and investment. 
5. The fifth problem is the large number of regulations in the EU. The EU has a very complicated regulatory environment, and this imposes a burden on businesses and consumers. 
6. The sixth problem is the lack of flexibility in the EU labor market. The EU labor market is very inflexible, and this makes it difficult for businesses to adjust to changing economic conditions. 
7. The seventh problem is the high level of public spending in the EU. The government spending-to-GDP ratio in the EU was 46.9% in 2016. This is a very high level of public spending, and it is a burden on the EU economy. 
8. The eighth problem is the low level of competition in the EU. The EU has a very high level of protectionism, and this limits the ability of businesses to compete in the global marketplace. 
9. The ninth problem is the lack of democracy in the EU. The European Union is undemocratic, and this makes it difficult for the people of the EU to hold their leaders accountable. 
10. The tenth problem is the high level of corruption in the EU. Corruption is a serious problem in the EU, and it undermines the legitimacy of the EU. These are the ten main structural problems facing the EU economy. If these problems are not addressed, the EU economy will continue to struggle.

In conclusion, the European Union is facing a number of structural problems that are hindering its ability to grow and prosper. These problems include high levels of debt, a number of member states in economic difficulty, high levels of regulation, a number of trade barriers, and a number of political and economic challenges.