Eurostat 2025 Data Shows Wide Gaps in Price Levels, Consumption and GDP Across the EU

Eurostat’s 2025 statistical bulletin shows that household final-consumption price levels vary dramatically across the EU, from 140 % of the EU average in Denmark to 63 % in Bulgaria. The most expensive markets are Denmark, Ireland and Luxembourg; the cheapest are Bulgaria, Romania and Poland. Housing costs, the largest expenditure category, range from 190 % of the EU average in Ireland to 41 % in Bulgaria. Actual individual consumption (AIC) per capita spans 73 % to 145 % of the EU average, with Luxembourg at the top and Hungary and Latvia at the bottom. GDP per capita follows a similar pattern, with Luxembourg (139 % above) and Ireland (138 %) leading, while Greece, Bulgaria and Latvia fall well below the EU average.

Household consumption price levels across the EU in 2025Household material welfare across the EU in 2025Worrisome: Hungary was the poorest EU country in 2025

Hungary tied with Latvia for the lowest AIC in 2025, at 73 % of the EU average, unchanged from 2024. Its GDP per capita was 76 % of the EU average, placing it 23rd of 27 member states. Neighboring Poland (88 %), Lithuania (87 %) and Slovenia (86 %) recorded higher consumption, illustrating a regional shift since Hungary’s EU accession.

Worrisome: Hungary was the poorest EU country in 2025Household material welfare across the EU in 2025Household consumption price levels across the EU in 2025

Economists cite structural factors: a large share of GDP devoted to investment limits household consumption; incomes and purchasing power remain below the EU average; and low borrowing and cautious spending further restrain demand. These constraints contrast with faster-growing Central and Eastern European economies that have improved consumption.

Worrisome: Hungary was the poorest EU country in 2025

The divergent price levels, consumption and GDP per capita highlight persistent east-west gaps within the bloc, which could influence cohesion-fund allocations and social-policy considerations aimed at mitigating imbalances and preserving the single market’s effectiveness.

Worrisome: Hungary was the poorest EU country in 2025

Eurostat’s 2025 bulletin presented the full set of price-level indices, AIC and GDP per capita data for all 27 EU members, highlighting the need for targeted policy responses to address uneven economic conditions and monitor the impact of price differentials on household welfare.

Household consumption price levels across the EU in 2025

• “In 2025, price levels for household final consumption expenditure differed widely across EU countries, ranging from 140% to 63% of the EU average.” — Eurostat

Household consumption price levels across the EU in 2025

• “In 2025, actual individual consumption (AIC) per capita expressed in purchasing power standard (PPS) varied from 73% to 145% of the EU average across the 27 EU countries.” — Eurostat

Household material welfare across the EU in 2025

• “Hungary had a grim last year According to preliminary estimates for 2025, Hungary shares last place with Latvia in terms of Actual Individual Consumption (AIC), one of the key indicators used by the EU’s statistical office to assess citizens’ standard of living.” — Daily News Hungary

Worrisome: Hungary was the poorest EU country in 2025

• “Luxembourg once again topped the consumption ranking, with Actual Individual Consumption reaching 145% of the EU average.” — Daily News Hungary

Worrisome: Hungary was the poorest EU country in 2025