Alcohol in Ireland is more expensive than in any other country in the European Union, new figures show.
Ireland is175% of the EU average for alcoholic beverages and tobacco, according to figures published by Eurostat.
It is followed by the UK (162%) and by the three Nordic EU States – Finland (135%), Sweden (128%) and Denmark (122%).
Among the lowest prices for alcohol and tobacco were Bulgaria (56%), Hungary (67%), Poland (68%) and Romania (69%)
Ireland is the second most expensive country in the EU behind only Denmark.
Irish prices were found to be 125% of the EU average in 2016. This was calculated by comparing a wide range of goods and services.
Ireland is the third highest for cars,motor-bikes and bicycles(111% of EU average), fourth highest for restaurants and hotels and fifth highest for food and non-alcoholic drinks (120% of EU average).
With food and non-alcoholic drinks the highest prices were seen in Denmark (148%) and Sweden (126%) and lowest in Poland and Romania (both 62%).
Ireland is on the EU average for consumer electronics. Prices were highest in Denmark (115%) and lowest in Poland (86%) for these goods.
Despite all this the EU, overall remains a lot cheaper than some non-EU European countries, with prices in Switzerland, Iceland and Norway being much higher.
