Comparison of price levels in Europe, 2011

The Norwegian GDP per capita (price level adjusted) was 89 per cent above the EU average in 2011. Switzerland and the Netherlands followed Norway in the GDP comparison. The GDP level for Norway was more than 50 per cent higher than the GDP levels for the other Nordic countries. Countries in Eastern Europe in general showed lower levels of GDP per capita compared to the rest of Europe. The dispersion across Europe was quite wide, ranging from 174 per cent above the EU 27 average in Luxembourg to 69 per cent below the average in Albania. Luxembourg heads the list due to the fact that a high proportion of the country's employees live in neighbouring countries and thus contribute to the economy without being included in the resident population.

On the other hand, the disparities in Actual Individual Consumption (AIC) per capita were less pronounced: Luxembourg’s AIC per capita was 50 per cent above the EU 27 average, while Albania came out 66 per cent below the average. The level of Norway’s AIC was more than 20 per cent higher than the AIC levels for the rest of the Nordic countries.

These preliminary results are based on the latest GDP data for 2011 and the most recent PPPs available. Revised estimates will be published in December 2012.

For more information is available in Eurostat's press release.

Tables:

• Table 1 Volume indices for GDP and AIC per capita, price level adjusted. Preliminary estimates 2011. EU27=100