Archive:Consumer prices - detailed average prices

Data from 2012. Most recent data: Further Eurostat information, Main tables and Database.

This article presents detailed consumer prices for the European Union (EU). These were collected for the 'Detailed average prices' (DAP)' project being run jointly by Eurostat and national statistical institutes. Detailed price statistics and detailed price level data are needed for several purposes, including product market and sector monitoring. As part of the closer monitoring of single market policies, this can help to improve understanding of how markets work.

Eurostat and the national statistical institutes are always kwwn to explore ways of extending the system of price statistics. The detailed average prices project aims to supplement existing consumer price statistics by providing indicative average prices for specific consumer goods and services across Europe.

Figure 1: White sugar, price per kg, 2012
Source: Eurostat (prc_dap)

Figure 2: Tobacco, price per pack (20 cigarettes), 2012
Source: Eurostat (prc_dap)

Figure 3: Cinema, price per ticket, 2012
Source: Eurostat (prc_dap)

Figure 4: Cup of coffee, price per cup, 2012
Source: Eurostat (prc_dap)

Figure 5: Number of products per country, 2012
Source: Eurostat

Main statistical findings

In general, some difference is to be expected in the price of a particular product in different countries. There are many reasons for this, including differences in excise duties and value added tax (VAT), national production conditions (for products in which cross-border trade is not significant) and exchange rates if relevant. Nonetheless, among the 156 products surveyed in 2012 for the detailed average prices project, the price of a number of products was similar across Europe. One example is white sugar (1 kg fine, granulated), the price of which was surveyed in 24 countries (Figure 1). Poland had the lowest average price (0.92 €/kg) and Cyprus the highest (1.46 €/kg). This gives a maximum/minimum price ratio of 1.6.

The price of cigarettes (pack of 20, filter) was surveyed in 21 countries (figure 2). The lowest average price was recorded in Lithuania, at 2.32 € per pack of cigarettes. 6 other countries had prices below 3 €/pack. At the other end of the scale, average prices in Ireland and the United Kingdom were above 9 €/pack. The maximum/minimum price ratio is 4.0. In many countries tobacco prices are heavily influenced by government policy, through excise duties and taxes, or controlled directly by means of a minimum price.

The price of cinema tickets (one ticket, Saturday evening) was surveyed in 18 countries (Figure 3). The lowest average price was recorded in Slovakia, at 3.27 €/ticket. 8 other countries — 7 eastern European countries and Malta — had prices below 6 €/ticket. The average price was highest in Finland (10.93 €/ticket). 8 other countries had prices around 8 €/ticket. The maximum/minimum price ratio is 3.3.

The price of a cup of coffee (served at the table with service charge) was surveyed in 21 countries (figure 4). Bulgaria had the lowest average price (0.54 €/cup) with average prices below 1 €/cup also recorded for six other countries. Switzerland had the highest average price, where a serving of a cup of coffee costs 3.29 €/cup on average. The maximum/minimum price ratio is 6.1.

Data sources and availability

The first detailed average prices project was carried out in 2008 and other pilot projects have subsequently been carried out each year. For the reference year 2012, the indicative average prices of specific consumer goods and services from 24 countries are published in Eurobase (Figure 5).

National statistical institutes carry out sampling and data collection, with Eurostat and participating countries jointly deciding the product sample. National statistical institutes choose data sources. Some national statistical institutes use existing data from the HICP, the main purpose of which is to measure price changes. Others have developed separate surveys.

Context

All findings should be considered with care since the available average prices are indicative within the scope of the definitions used. They do not represent official national average prices. Neither EU/EA nor product aggregates are published. Factors that influence price differences and limit the comparability of the results:

• One product cannot represent the full market in all countries for the consumption segments concerned. And even when products are identical across countries, they may not have the same relevance for the consumers in the various countries. For example the average price of a loaf of white bread may not be indicative of the price level of bread in general in a given country. The positions of the selected products on national markets may differ as well across countries even within the limits of the product specification.
• The outlet structure and distribution across countries are surely different. For example price differences across countries for ice-cream could be related to differences in market and outlet structure (locally produced or sold in supermarkets).
• The national samples may cover only prices for some types of brands, which can be chosen differently across countries. And even within the boundaries of the product specifications, quality differences may exist to a varying degree.
• In every Member State, the products have been selected following the procedures of the respective NSI. Additionally, the NSI is responsible for computing the average, using in many cases an unweighted arithmetic average of the price observations. In other countries regional price observations are weighed using regional population figures.
• The prices may be influenced by short term fluctuations in exchange rates. The impact depends on whether products were imported or produced locally, the tradability of products and other reasons.

See also

• Comparative price levels of consumer goods and services
• HICP methodology
• Purchasing power parities (PPPs) - calculation and uses

Further Eurostat information

Database

• Detailed average prices (prc_dap)

Dedicated section

• Consumer Prices Research

Methodology / Metadata

• Detailed average prices metadata

Other information

• Harmonised indices of consumer prices (HICP) (prc_hicp)

• Purchasing power parities (prc_ppp)

External links

• Consumer Markets Scoreboard European Commission - Directorate General for Health and Consumers (DG SANCO)

[[Category:<Comparative price levels (PPPs)>|Detailed average prices]] [[Category:<Consumer_prices>|Detailed average prices]] [[Category:<Statistical article|Detailed average prices]]