Malta is by far the most expensive country in the EU when it comes to essential household appliances, according to a study published by Eurostat.
A scientific survey, carried out in 37 European countries including all the EU member states, shows that household appliances in Malta cost 32 per cent more than the average in the EU27. A washing machine or a fridge in Germany or the UK would be 40 per cent cheaper.
The survey compared the prices of 100 different household appliances placed on the markets of all the participating countries in spring 2007. The items included major domestic appliances, whether electronic or not, such as refrigerators, washing machines, cookers, microwave ovens, vacuum cleaners, and small electric household appliances like coffee-makers, toasters, steam irons and others.
When all the data were compared and calculated according to established Eurostat methodology (Purchasing Power Parity), Malta emerged as the most expensive EU member. Only Iceland is dearer but that country is not an EU member.
Interestingly, the prices of household appliances in Malta more often compare with those in the richest EU member states, including Denmark, Sweden and Finland.
Cyprus is also expensive but still much cheaper than Malta. In fact, the prices of household appliances in Cyprus are 13 per cent above the EU average.
Sources close to Eurostat told The Times that one of the main reasons for Malta's high prices is exorbitant transport costs.
"All islands are affected by high transport costs and, in fact, Cyprus is also experiencing higher prices than the EU average.
"However, this is not the only reason and there must be some other issues including competition," the sources added.
The survey also shows that Malta is also expensive when it comes to consumer electronics like TV sets and Hi-FI systems, photographic equipment, computers, CDs and DVDs.
Although not as expensive as household appliances, the price of consumer electronics in Malta are 11 per cent higher than the EU average.
A total of 135 items in this category were surveyed.
Once again, Iceland emerged as the most expensive, although Malta ranks fourth in this category when compared to the 27 member states.