Local & National Daily News Round-up

FRIDAY 23 MAY

School dropout rates are rising, according to the latest education ministry report. More than 8% of students dropped out in the last school year, a slight increase compared to the previous year. Despite the rise, Luxembourg remains below the EU target of 9% by 2030 and below the eurozone average. Boys are still the majority of dropouts, though the proportion of girls has grown. Students in 10th and 11th grades are most affected, often due to changing career plans or difficulties finding apprenticeships. The Ministry plans to improve prevention through better guidance, targeted interventions, extended school attendance, and support programs like socio-economic integration centers. The National Youth Service (SNJ) also provides workshops and personalized support, reaching over 2,200 young people in 2023/2024.

The Edmond de Rothschild bank was fined €25 million yesterday in a historic money laundering case, marking the first conviction of a Luxembourgish bank for such offenses. The case, linked to the massive 1MDB scandal, involves the embezzlement of billions of dollars from the Malaysian sovereign fund. A UAE national opened multiple accounts in the bank in the names of offshore companies used to siphon funds through complex transactions. The court’s ruling confirms the bank’s criminal liability, with the fine to be paid into the government’s coffers.

The smoking rate has fallen to 23% among residents aged 16 and over, down from 27% in 2023. Despite the decline, the Cancer Foundation warns that the rise of alternative nicotine products, especially among young people, poses new risks. The survey found that more than a quarter of 16-24-year-olds use e-cigarettes, mainly disposables, and 16% use nicotine pouches. The foundation urges stricter regulation of these products, and the government has proposed laws to restrict sales to minors, limit flavors, and control nicotine content. Meanwhile, nearly half of Luxembourg residents want to quit smoking, prompting a support campaign linked to World No Tobacco Day.

Luxembourg is projected to experience the largest population increase among EU countries by 2100, growing to just under 1 million residents. According to Eurostat, this rise is explained by high birth rates and immigration. By mid-century, the population will approach 900,000 before growth slows. This rapid expansion will also mean Luxembourg’s population will age, with the average age rising from 39 in 2022 to 50 in 2100, and a sharp decline in the share of working-age people. Despite this growth, Luxembourg will remain among the smaller EU nations, with Germany, France, Italy, Spain, and Poland holding the largest populations.