Thursday, September 16, 2021
Midfield in a European comparison
Living in Germany is relatively cheap
The cost of living in Europe is wide apart. In most western and northern European countries, consumers have to raise significantly more money in everyday life than in Germany. In contrast, the price level in the east of the continent is significantly lower than in this country.
In comparison to other European countries, you can live more cheaply in Germany. After a comparison published by the Federal Statistical Office people in almost all western and northern countries of the continent have to spend more money on daily needs than in this country. However, the cost of living differs significantly from a European comparison: They were highest in Switzerland – the price level there in July was 51 percent higher than in Germany.
In contrast, the cost of living in Turkey was almost two thirds (minus 64 percent) lower. Among the 36 European countries compared, the country was at the end of the scale. For the comparison, the Federal Office created a representative shopping basket based on 15 categories, including food and energy expenditure, but also restaurant visits and hotel costs.
Noticeable difference to Denmark
In most of Germany’s neighboring countries, the standard of living has recently been higher than in Germany. In Denmark the price level was 28 percent higher, in Luxembourg 25 percent. In the Netherlands the price difference to Germany was seven percent, in Belgium and Austria five percent each and in France four percent. In contrast, the standard of living in neighboring Poland was 46 percent lower, in the Czech Republic it was minus 28 percent.
According to statistics, the comparison with other European countries also showed enormous differences: In Iceland the cost of living was 40 percent higher and in Norway 30 percent higher than in Germany. In the popular holiday destinations of Spain and Italy, they were 13 and 9 percent respectively below the German price level. In Bulgaria, Romania and Bosnia and Herzegovina they were even around 50 percent lower.
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