Europe is a world leader in health and education, though standards are somewhat lower in Southern and Eastern Europe relative to the western and northern parts of the continent. Throughout Europe , the ability to read and write is virtually universal. The daily caloric intake of the people in Europe is among the highest of any region in the world, as is the number of physicians and nurses per population. Most European countries have national health insurance plans that provide health care for all residents. In the early 21st century, the average life expectancy in Europe was about 66 years for men and 74 years for women. The primary, secondary, and higher education systems are well developed. The proportion of children between the ages of 6 and 11 enrolled in primary school is nearly 100 percent in most countries. Enrollment of those eligible for secondary and higher education varies considerably within Europe but was generally low until after World War II. As countries began to subsidize secondary school and university education, the numbers greatly increased. Universities were first begun in Europe during the Middle Ages by groups of students who had similar interests. Examples of well-known institutions of higher learning are in Cambridge, Oxford, London, Edinburgh, Dublin, Paris, Leipzig, Vienna, Heidelberg, Moscow, Warsaw, and Leiden Europe is a world leader in health and education, though standards are somewhat lower in Southern and Eastern Europe relative to the western and northern parts of the continent. Throughout Europe , the ability to read and write is virtually universal. The daily caloric intake of the people in Europe is among the highest of any region in the world, as is the number of physicians and nurses per population. Most European countries have national health insurance plans that provide health care for all residents. In the early 21st century, the average life expectancy in Europe was about 66 years for men and 74 years for women. The primary, secondary, and higher education systems are well developed. The proportion of children between the ages of 6 and 11 enrolled in primary school is nearly 100 percent in most countries. Enrollment of those eligible for secondary and higher education varies considerably within Europe but was generally low until after World War II. As countries began to subsidize secondary school and university education, the numbers greatly increased. Universities were first begun in Europe during the Middle Ages by groups of students who had similar interests. Examples of well-known institutions of higher learning are in Cambridge, Oxford, London, Edinburgh, Dublin, Paris, Leipzig, Vienna, Heidelberg, Moscow, Warsaw, and Leiden