Denmark Voted the Most Expensive EU Country to Live In
Those who have lived or even travelled to Denmark won’t be surprised at all to hear that our favourite Scandinavian country ranked first in Eurostat’s latest price level index. That means that in 2017 Danes paid more for food, beverages, footwear and other goods and services than inhabitants of other European Union’s countries.
The survey, which was conducted in 38 European countries and covered the price of more than 2,000 goods and services, showed last year Denmark’s prices were 42% above the EU average. The most expensive goods in the country were food, non-alcoholic beverages, and footwear. Neighbouring Sweden had the first place for clothing prices while Ireland for alcoholic beverages and tobacco. From the 38 European countries that were included in the survey, 28 are EU Member States, three are EFTA (European Free Trade Association) countries (Iceland, Norway, and Switzerland), five are candidate countries (Montenegro, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Albania, Serbia, and Turkey), Bosnia and Herzegovina as potential candidate and finally, Kosovo.
So, even though Denmark held the first place compared to the European Member States, among all countries Switzerland was the one with the highest price level for food and non-alcoholic beverages while Iceland, which was also ranked first as the most expensive of all 38 countries, had the highest prices for alcoholic beverages, tobacco, clothing, and footwear.
Additionally, Denmark had the highest Price Level Index among all 38 countries in electricity, gas and other fuel as well as personal transport equipment (which is due to the country’s high taxation levels on cars), while compared only to the EU Member States, Denmark had the most expensive restaurants and hotels and consumer electronics.
When it comes to the cheapest country for food, beverages, and tobacco, the last place among all 38 countries is held by the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, while for clothing and footwear Turkey was the least expensive of all participating countries.
Bulgaria had a price level of 52% below the EU average, which makes it the cheapest country to live in among all EU Member States followed by Romania, Poland, Hungary, and Lithuania.
Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.
Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.
Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.
Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.
We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.
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