Food is on average 50% more expensive in Switzerland than in the rest of Europe Keystone

Switzerland is the most expensive country in Europe, according to the latest data from the European Statistics Office Eurostat. In Switzerland, prices for consumer goods and services are 56% higher than the European average.

This content was published on June 20, 2014 - 16:56

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Food and non-alcoholic beverages are on average 50% more expensive in Switzerland than in the rest of Europe, while restaurants and hotels are also 52% pricier. Consumer electronics are the only category that come out slightly cheaper than the European average – 6% less.

Across Europe, prices varied less for clothing and electronic items than for food, drink and especially alcohol and tobacco. For example, in Ireland, alcohol and tobacco products cost 78% more than the EU average.

Behind Switzerland in overall price rankings came Norway, with average prices 55% higher than Europe. Denmark was the most expensive EU member country, with 40% higher prices.

Although the Swiss will likely continue to cross the border to shop in neighbouring countries Germany, Italy and Austria, prices rose in all three of those countries as well: by 9% in France, 3% in Italy and 2% in Germany.

The cheapest places in Europe are Bulgaria, Romania, Poland and Hungary, with prices up to two times less expensive than the rest of the continent.

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