In 2023, the price levels of household final consumption expenditure differed significantly across the EU.
The highest price levels were recorded in Denmark (143% of the EU average), Ireland (142%), and Luxembourg (135%). Meanwhile, the lowest levels were recorded in Bulgaria and Romania (60%) each and Poland (66%).
This information comes from price level indices data published by Eurostat. The article presents a few of the findings of the more detailed Stats Explainer article.
Source dataset: prc_ppp_ind
The widest gap is in the prices of alcohol and tobacco
In 2023, the price level of alcohol and tobacco was 3.2 times higher in Ireland, the most expensive country, compared to Bulgaria, the least expensive. The lowest levels of alcohol and tobacco prices were recorded in Bulgaria (66% of the EU average), Poland (77%) and Romania (85%). Meanwhile, the highest levels were recorded in Ireland (211%), Finland (170%) and Denmark (133%). This large difference in prices is mainly due to differences in taxes on these products.
Restaurants and hotels ranked second in terms of price difference, with the lowest price levels recorded in Bulgaria (52% of the EU average), Romania (65%), and Hungary (72%), and the highest in Denmark (152%). Finland (129%) and Ireland (128%).
Source dataset: prc_ppp_ind
Clothing ranked third in terms of price variation, with Spain (81%), Bulgaria (82%), and Hungary (88%) recording the cheapest clothing prices, while the most expensive were in Denmark (131%) and the Czech Republic (126%). ) and Estonia (118%).
Variations were also recorded for food and non-alcoholic beverages (ranging from 74% of the EU average in Romania to 119% in Luxembourg), personal transport equipment (ranging from 90% in Slovakia to 129% in Denmark), and consumer electronics (ranging Between 90% in Slovakia and 129% in Denmark (from 92% in Italy to 113% in France).