From numeric scales of 0–20 in France to 1–5 in Austria, and 12-point systems in Ukraine, the continent’s grading landscape is vast and varied.

Take France, where students are assessed on a 0–20 scale and 10 marks the pass threshold, with anything above 15 considered excellent. In Austria, the system flips the logic: 1 is the best grade, 5 the fail, a setup that can confuse outsiders where high numbers usually mean top marks.

Meanwhile in Eastern Europe , such as in Ukraine, students operate on a 1–12 scale with 4 considered the minimum pass, while a 12 is reserved for exceptional work.

This diversity matters. With more students studying abroad, chasing scholarships or engaging in international mobility, understanding each country’s system isn’t just trivia, it can shape study plans, diploma recognition and job prospects.

What’s perhaps most striking is how these systems reflect more than academic standards, they reflect national identity. The fact that a Swedish student might get a “VG” (väl godkänd) rather than a letter grade, or that Norway uses letters A–E, shows how education is deeply rooted in culture.

The underlying story involves tradition, changing attitudes, public health , and activist pressure.

Historically, dog meat has been consumed in certain cultures as a source of protein, in ritual contexts, or out of necessity. Today, it persists in Cambodia, China, parts of Northeastern India, Indonesia, Ghana, Laos, Nigeria, South Korea, Switzerland, and Vietnam.

China is often cited as the largest consumer. Although precise numbers are elusive, some estimates place dog slaughter in the tens of millions annually.

In response to global outrage and local activism, cities such as Shenzhen and Zhuhai banned dog (and cat) meat trading in 2020, and China’s Ministry of Agriculture has since reclassified dogs as companion animals rather than livestock .

Vietnam is another notable example—with millions of dogs reportedly processed annually for consumption, often under conditions that raise serious animal welfare and safety concerns.

In South Korea, a long-standing cultural practice is in the process of fading. In January 2024, the Korean National Assembly unanimously passed legislation to ban dog meat production and sale by 2027, giving farmers and traders a transition window.

In Indonesia, although Muslim dietary laws generally regard dog meat as forbidden (haram), it remains in use among certain ethnic groups and regions. Welfare groups estimate that over 1 million dogs per year may be slaughtered in Indonesia for consumption. On Bali alone, 60,000 to 70,000 dogs are reportedly killed annually.

Ghana is among the African nations where dog meat consumption has cultural and ritual significance. Ethnic groups such as the Tallensi, Akyims, Kokis, and Yaakuma have long histories of consuming dog meat.

However, the global momentum appears to be shifting. International pressure, rising awareness of animal welfare, health risks (such as parasites, bacterial infections, and contamination), and changing generational attitudes are all contributing to a decline in the practice.