Public health researchers say the trend reflects a mix of cultural traditions, economic factors and policy differences across the continent.

Countries, including Romania and neighbouring states, fall into the highest consumption categories, with average intake estimated between 15 and 17 litres of pure alcohol per person per year.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), Europe as a whole has the highest alcohol consumption levels in the world, with adults consuming an average of 9.5 litres of pure alcohol annually, significantly above the global average.

Across Western Europe, alcohol consumption typically ranges between 10 and 12 litres per adult per year.

Countries such as France, Spain and Germany fall into this mid-range category, reflecting long-standing wine and beer traditions.

However, public health campaigns and changing lifestyles have contributed to declining consumption in several Western European countries over the past two decades.

Northern European countries, including Norway and Iceland, record some of the lowest alcohol consumption rates on the continent, averaging around 4 to 6 litres per person annually.

This is attributed partly to strict alcohol regulations, high taxes and limited retail availability, policies widely used in Nordic public health strategies.

Research from the European Commission’ s health statistics database shows that stronger alcohol control policies are linked to lower overall consumption levels and reduced alcohol-related harm.

In contrast, Latin America, Central America and large parts of Africa remained more focused on football-related searches, underscoring the sport’s deep cultural influence in these regions.

The data comes from Google Trends, which tracks the relative popularity of search terms rather than the total number of searches. Countries on the map are coloured according to which term generated greater interest, while colour intensity reflects the proportion of searches for the most popular term within each location during the selected time period.

Spikes in search interest often occur when major international events dominate headlines. As geopolitical tensions rise or diplomatic developments unfold, news coverage and social media discussions tend to drive audiences online in search of context and updates.

Tensions between Iran and the United States escalated sharply at the end of February 2026 after a series of military strikes that pushed the long-running rivalry into open conflict.

On 28 February 2026, the United States and Israel launched coordinated air and missile strikes targeting Iranian nuclear facilities , military infrastructure and senior leadership in what Washington described as a campaign to neutralise Iran’s missile capabilities and prevent it from developing nuclear weapons.

The attacks triggered an immediate response from Tehran. Iran launched missile and drone strikes against Israel and several US military installations across the Middle East, including bases in Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates.

The operation marked a dramatic escalation of a dispute that had been building for weeks during tense nuclear negotiations between Washington and Tehran.

In the days following the initial strikes, the confrontation widened into a broader regional conflict. US and Israeli airstrikes continued to hit Iranian targets, while Iran and its allied groups retaliated with attacks across the Middle East.

Missile strikes and drone attacks have targeted energy infrastructure, embassies and military bases, raising fears that the conflict could disrupt global oil supplies and destabilise the region further. Iran currently reports a death toll of over 1000 people from the strikes.

Still, football continues to dominate searches across many regions. In countries such as Brazil , Argentina and several African nations, the sport regularly drives online traffic during domestic leagues, international tournaments and major transfer periods. With billions of fans worldwide, football remains the most widely followed sport on the planet.

The United States and the European Union have, however, provided billions of dollars in military and economic aid, including advanced air defence systems and artillery. Aid debates in Western capitals continue to shape Kyiv’s battlefield capacity.

Russia, meanwhile, faces sweeping economic sanctions targeting its banking, energy and defence sectors. While sanctions have strained parts of the economy, Moscow has redirected trade and increased domestic arms production.

Despite a call for a ceasefire, Ukraine insists on full territorial restoration and security guarantees, while Russia maintains claims over annexed regions. The United Nations continues to call for a negotiated settlement, but no ceasefire agreement has been reached.

In all of these, the humanitarian toll remains severe, with millions displaced and infrastructure heavily damaged. The conflict continues to affect global food and energy markets .

Watch the full video above as voices from the Global South dish out what's next for both parties to save themselves and avert the deadly cost.

The map, compiled from Numbeo’s 2024 Cost of Living Index and supported by other regional data, highlights how daily expenses vary widely across the continent.

Egypt, with a cost index between 37.5–45.5, benefits from government-subsidised food staples and relatively low housing costs.

Zimbabwe tops the list with an index above 67.5, reflecting persistent inflation, currency instability, and high import costs.

Other affordable countries include Tunisia, Algeria, and Ethiopia, while higher-cost nations include South Africa , Namibia, and Mauritius.

According to the African Development Bank and World Bank reports, differences in the cost of living are driven by:

Regional patterns

The platform’s Cost of Living Index is calculated using crowdsourced price data for goods, services, rent, and utilities, submitted by residents across the globe.

Here are the top five cities:

1. Harare, Zimbabwe — Cost of Living Index: 36.6

Harare tops the list as Africa’s most expensive city to live in. Persistent economic instability and rampant inflation have pushed consumer prices to unsustainable levels, straining household budgets for basic needs such as food and utilities. Numbeo places the city at the very top, with no African city surpassing its index score.

2. Johannesburg, South Africa — Index: 33.2

As South Africa’s financial and commercial hub, Johannesburg comes in second. High costs are driven mainly by expensive housing markets, elevated utility fees, and robust demand for urban services. The city’s affluent suburbs and thriving economic activity contribute to its elevated living index.

3. Accra, Ghana — Index: 31.8

Accra claims the third position, as a rising economic centre facing rapidly increasing costs of housing, transportation , and food, largely fueled by inflation and surging consumer demand.

4. Casablanca, Morocco — Index: 31.4

Casablanca, Morocco’s largest city and main economic power centre, ranks fourth. Costs here are elevated by urban infrastructure needs, rising rents, and escalating price levels across food and services.

5. Cape Town, South Africa — Index: 31.3

Cape Town rounds out the top five, tied with Pretoria in living costs. High property prices, especially in scenic or highly desirable neighbourhoods, have kept housing and overall living costs elevated.

These rankings directly reflect the steep price of everyday life in select African cities. From housing and utilities to food and commuting, residents feel the pinch.

For example, Cape Town’s housing market has ballooned, with home prices exceeding R2.23 million (about $120,000) as of September 2024, doubling rates in other major South African cities.

Similarly, Casablanca, Rabat, and Marrakech face sustained price hikes. In 2025 alone, Rabat’s rental costs were measured 2.2% higher than Casablanca, and 34.1% more expensive than Marrakech.

The Philippines is now experiencing the fastest-growing HIV epidemic in the Western Pacific, with a 500% surge in new daily cases. From January to March 2025, the Department of Health (DOH) recorded 57 new HIV cases daily, totalling 5,101, including a 12-year-old from Palawan. Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa has urged President Marcos to declare a national public health emergency, warning the HIV crisis is a “bigger” problem than mpox. He stressed that a nationwide emergency would enable a whole-of-society response. Surveillance data shows a troubling trend: younger Filipinos are increasingly affected. The predominant age group shifted from 35–49 in the early 2000s to 25–34 starting in 2006. Cases among those under 15 surged by 133%, and among 15–24-year-olds by 106%.

Philippines' unemployment rises to 4.1% in April from 3.9% in March

The Philippine job market saw a modest dip in April as the unemployment rate rose to 4.1%, up from 3.9% in March, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA). This translates to about 2.06 million Filipinos out of work, slightly higher than the 2.04 million reported in April 2024, PSA Chief Dennis Mapa confirmed. The uptick comes amid ongoing economic challenges, including global trade disruptions, high inflation, corruption, and climate-related issues, which could further strain the country’s economy. Despite this, the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development remains optimistic. Acting head Rosemarie Edillon said the labour market continues to show resilience and that the country is still on track to meet its 2023–2028 unemployment target of 4.4% to 4.7%.

Public sentiment sours on the state of the economy

Filipino consumers grew more pessimistic about the economy in the first quarter of 2025, driven by rising inflation, declining incomes, and limited job opportunities, according to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP). The BSP’s latest consumer sentiment survey showed the overall confidence index (CI) dropped to -13%, down from -11.1% in the previous quarter. While the index remains above the pandemic low in Q3 2020, it has yet to return to the positive sentiment recorded in late 2019 and early 2020. The BSP reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining a manageable inflation, projecting a 2% – 4% target range from 2025 to 2027 to help foster investment and job creation.

Philippine embassy officially opens consulate in Botswana

The Philippines formally reopened its consular mission in Gaborone , Botswana, on 2 June 2025, after a temporary closure in March 2022. The inauguration was led by Ambassador Noralyn Jubaira Baja, with Ms. Annelin Vista, a Botswana citizen of Filipino descent, appointed as Honorary Consul. Vista will assist Filipino nationals, promote Philippine trade and cultural ties, and provide consular services. Ambassador Baja emphasised the government’s commitment to serving the Filipino community and strengthening Philippines-Botswana relations, which date back to 1967. The event was attended by members of the diplomatic corps, local government, and the Filipino diaspora. The ambassador also held a meet-and-greet with the Filipino community later that day.

Sweden, Philippines boost defence ties

Sweden has named Lt. Col. Anders Nikanorsson as its new non-resident defence attaché to the Philippines, following Manila’s recent appointment of a counterpart to Stockholm. Based in Bangkok, Nikanorsson will help advance Sweden’s strategic engagement in the Indo-Pacific. Calling the Philippines a key maritime partner, Nikanorsson emphasised its role in promoting a rules-based global order. Ambassador Anna Ferry welcomed his appointment, noting it will enhance Sweden’s ability to engage on regional security issues. The move reflects Sweden’s growing defence focus on the Indo-Pacific, amid the region's rising geopolitical significance.