Romania has the second lowest prices in the EU for consumer goods and services

Anca Alexe 24/08/2018 | 14:58

Price levels for consumer goods and services differ widely among EU member states, according to data published on Friday by Eurostat.

In 2017, the highest price levels were recorded in Denmark and Luxembourg, both 41 percent above the EU average, followed by Sweden (35 percent above), Ireland (28 percent above), Finland (23 percent above) and the UK (17 percent above).

The lowest price levels were recorded in Bulgaria (56 percent below the EU average), Romania (52 percent below), Poland (47 percent below), Hungary (42 percent below) and Lithuania (40 percent below).

Compared to data collected back in 2000, the prices of consumer goods and services in Romania have grown significantly, from 65 percent below the EU average to 52 percent below average.

Romania had the lowest prices in the EU in 2017 for food and non-alcoholic beverages – about 38 percent under the EU average. The only category of consumer goods where Romania’s prices come closer to the EU average is clothing and footwear (only 8 percent under the EU average).

Denmark was the most expensive member state in 2017 for restaurants and hotels, food, recreation and culture, transport and household equipment. Ireland was the most expensive for alcoholic beverages and tobacco, Luxembourg for housing, water, electricity and gas, Greece for communications and Sweden for clothing and footwear.