Eurostat compiled a survey of the price levels of consumer goods and services in Europe for last year, determining not just country averages, but also breaking prices down into different categories, offering a better picture of the financial situation of the population.

Taking 100 as the EU price level average, the statistics show that Denmark and Luxembourg had the highest price levels in 2017 (both 41% above the EU average), followed by Sweden (35% above), Ireland (28% above), Finland (23% above), and the United Kingdom (17% above).

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

At a more detailed level, Denmark was the most expensive Member State in 2017 for "restaurants and hotels" (51% above the EU average), "food" (50% above), "recreation and culture" (48% above), "transport" (28% above), and "household equipment" (20% above). 

Ireland was the most expensive Member State for "alcoholic beverages and tobacco" (74% above the average); Luxembourg for "housing, water, electricity and gas" (63% above); Greece for "communications" (54% above); and Sweden for "clothing and footwear" (34% above).

In Hungary, highest prices were registered for "communications" (89.9% of the EU average), "clothing and footwear" (86.9%), and "food and non-alcoholic beverages" (82.1%). Housing costs, however, amounted to only 41.9% of the EU level.