Goods and services in Sweden are some 28 percent above the union average, making it the second most expensive country to live in the EU’s 27 member countries.
The most expensive country is neighbouring Denmark, where prices come in some 42 percent higher than the EU average.
The cheapest shopping in the EU is in Bulgaria where a visit to a store will cost around half as much as the union average, according to Eurostat’s price index.
Sweden comes out top with regard to prices for clothes, shoes and transport services, coming in between 30 and 40 percent above the average.
Sweden is also among the most expensive when it comes to alcohol and tobacco prices, coming in at 147 percent of the EU average.
Ireland however tops the list in this category, at 163 percent of the union average, while Hungary is the cheapest with 63 percent. The wild variations are mostly to do with the relative levels of taxation.
Sweden furthermore has some of the most expensive restaurants and hotels in the EU, with prices at an average of 147 percent of the union average, trailing only Denmark.
Some solace is provided for Swedish consumers however, with communications services among the cheapest in the European Union.
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