New figures from the Central Statistics Office reveal that Ireland was the most expensive country in the EU for tobacco and non-alcoholic drinks last year.
The CSO said that Ireland was the most expensive of 36 European countries for non-alcoholic drinks in 2024 with prices 40% higher than the EU 27 average.
Tobacco prices here were also the most expensive of the 36 countries surveyed in 2024, at 159% higher than the EU27 average.
Ireland was also the second most expensive country in both the euro zone and EU27 for alcoholic beverages, with prices of alcohol in Ireland just under double the EU27 average last year.
Meanwhile, today’s figures also show that food prices in Ireland were 12% above the EU27 average in 2024, making them the second most expensive in the euro zone, and third most expensive in the EU27.
Of the 36 countries surveyed, food was the most expensive in Switzerland at 61% above the EU27 average, and the least expensive in North Macedonia at 27% below the EU27 average.
Looking at specific food categories, prices for the various types of foods in Ireland were all higher than the EU27 average in 2024 apart from meat.
Prices for breads and cereals were 17% higher than the EU27 average, while milk, cheese and eggs were 11% higher.
Fruits, vegetables and Potatoes were 9% higher, oils and fats were 6% higher, while fish prices were 5% higher.
