Bulgaria the cheapest country in Balkans, EU - Eurostat

14:55 Tue 29 Apr 2008 - Elena Koinova

In its latest research, the EU statistical authority Eurostat named Bulgaria as the cheapest country in the West Balkans and in the EU.

The research draws on 2006 statistical data provided by the National Statistical Institute.

Eurostat gauges prices with an index, which sets the EU average to 100.

Bulgaria’s prices are on a par with those in Serbia and Macedonia. Romania, Montenegro and Albania came up with an index that is 10 points higher than in Bulgaria.

In terms of food, Bulgaria and Macedonia are the cheapest countries. By price of cigarettes, however, the country ranks average with an index of 52, whereas Montenegro, Serbia, Romania and Macedonia earned price indices of 24 to 33.

Bulgaria’s utility tariffs, however, are very high and fare worse than those in Hungary, Croatia, Romania and Montenegro.

Comments

Comments by Dianne Hatton - 21:12 29 Apr 2008
	With Petrol now higher than 23 other EU countries, Electric prices higher than 21, inflation at 14% and food rising faster, it won't be long before it ranks as one of the highest. Its a shame that salaries aren't going up as fast.
Comments by Dianne Hatton - 23:12 29 Apr 2008
	I think this should be taken with a pinch of salt. Stats taken from 2006. Most commodities in this country have risen about 80% since 2006.......That was probably the last year when things WHERE cheap !!!!!!!!!! Wait until the Euro comes, that should be fun :o)
Comments by A Sociologist - 16:35 30 Apr 2008
	How cheecky! Present 2006 statistics to appease the hard-working Bulgarian citizens who see prices going up every month and their salary remaining the same!!