| 1980s–1990s | 2002 |
| – Emergence of globalization | – Euro replaces national currencies in Eurozone |
| 1990s–2010s | 2003-2011 |
| – New waves of legal and illegal immigration to Europe | – Iraq War |
| 1991 | 2004 |
| – Maastricht Treaty | – Train bombings in Madrid by Islamic extremists |
| 1991–2001 | 2005 |
| – Civil war in Yugoslavia | – Young Muslims riot in France; subway bombing in London by Islamic extremists |
| 1992–1997 | 2008 |
| – Decline of Russian economy | – Worldwide financial crisis begins |
| 1993 | 2009 |
| – Creation of the European Union | – Ratification of Treaty of Lisbon; young Muslims riot in France |
| 1999 | 2011 |
| – Protests against World Trade Organization (WTO) in Seattle | – Start of Arab Spring |
| 2000–2008 | 2012-2013 |
| – Resurgence of Russian economy under Putin | – Mass protests against government austerity plans in Greece and Spain |
| 2001 | 2013 |
| – September 11 terrorist attack on the United States; war in Afghanistan begins | – France legalizes same-sex marriage |