According to Eurostat's newly-released Price Level Index, Ireland paid 87% more than the EU average for alcohol and tobacco in 2020.
As reported by drinksindustryireland.ie, the consumer group "alcoholic beverages and tobacco" represents 5% of household expenditure on average across the EU, with the "alcoholic beverages" category specifically representing an average of 2% of EU household expenditure.
Norway reportedly had the highest prices for alcohol and tobacco, with the country's alcohol and tobacco prices being 119.7% higher than the EU average.
Meanwhile, Bulgaria reportedly had the lowest Price Level Index of the EU27 at 61% of the EU average.
Eurostat Statement
Drinksindustryireland.ie quotes Eurostat as saying, "The highest price dispersion is found for alcoholic beverages and tobacco. This is mainly due to large differences in taxation on these products across 37 countries."
Non-Alcoholic Beverages
Additionally, Ireland was reportedly the most expensive country in the EU27 for non-alcoholic beverages, with prices being 35% above the EU average, as well as the most expensive country for tobacco, with prices being 24% above the EU average.
Restaurant And Hotel Prices
Ireland was reportedly also 29% above the EU27 for restaurant and hotel prices, making it in the fourth most expensive EU country for restaurant and hotel prices behind Norway, where restaurant and hotel prices were 156% above the EU average, Denmark, where restaurant and hotel prices were 154% above the EU average, and Switzerland, where restaurant and hotel prices were 69% above the EU average.
Price Level Index Information
Eurostat's Price Level Index is an annual cost of living comparison table of price levels for food, beverages, tobacco, clothing and footwear.
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