Price levels for consumer goods and services in Malta were at 79% of the EU average last year, according to an EU study published today. Prices for electronics and personal transport were higher in Malta than the EU average.

The survey results for Malta were: Food and non-alcoholic beverages - 79% of the EU average; Alcoholic beverages and tobacco - 93%; Clothing - 91%; Consumer electronics - 88%; Personal transport equipment - 110%; and Restaurants and hotels - 71%.

Eurostat said that according to the study, Denmark had the highest prices in 2010 (143% of the EU27 average), followed by Finland (123%).

Price levels of 10% to 20% above the EU27 average were found in Luxembourg and Sweden (both 120%), Ireland (118%) Belgium and France (both 112%), while Austria (107%), the Netherlands (106%), Germany and Italy (both 104%) were around 5% above the average.

The United Kingdom (100%) was on the EU27 average.

Spain (97% of the EU27 average) and Greece (96%) were just below the average, while Cyprus (89%), Portugal (88%) and Slovenia (84%) were between 10% and 20% below.

Price levels between 20% and 30% below the average were observed in Malta (79%), Estonia (75%), the Czech Republic (72%) and Slovakia (71%), and levels between 30% and 40% below in Latvia (69%), Hungary (65%), Lithuania and Poland (both 63%).

The lowest price levels were found in Bulgaria (51%) and Romania (59%).

FOOD

Price levels for food and non-alcoholic beverages in 2010 ranged from 66% of the EU27 average in Bulgaria to 136% of the average in Denmark. Differences in price levels between Member States were smaller for this product group than for total goods and services.

For alcoholic beverages and tobacco, prices were lowest in Bulgaria and Romania (both 64% of the average) and highest in Ireland (170%). This large price variation was mainly due to differences in taxation of these products among Member States.

CLOTHING

Clothing was one of the groups of products showing the smallest price variation among Member States. Bulgaria (75% of the average) was cheapest and Sweden (126% of the average) was most expensive for clothing.

Prices of consumer electronics  also varied relatively little,from 89% of the average in Bulgaria to 115% in Sweden. Excluding Denmark (167% of the average), price differences among Member States were also limited for personal transport equipment, with levels varying from 88% of the EU27 average in Bulgaria, Estonia and Romania to 120% in Portugal.

HOTELS AND CATERING

For restaurants and hotels, price variations were more significant, with price levels ranging from 45% of the average in Bulgaria to 153% of the average in Denmark.

or restaurants and hotels8, price variations were more significant, with price levels ranging from 45% of the average in Bulgaria to 153% of the average in Denmark.

Price level indices for consumer goods and services, 2010 (EU27=100)