Food prices in Malta were 12.2% higher than the European Union average in 2020, figures released by Eurostat show.

Eurostat issued a release which allows for the comparison of consumer price levels between EU states in different areas. The data covers the year 2020.

Denmark had the highest food prices in the EU, which were 28.9% higher than the average, while Romania had the lowest (34.7% lower than the European Union average). The EU countries with higher food prices than Malta were Denmark, Luxembourg, Austria, Sweden, Finland, France and Belgium.

This statistic can also be placed in comparison with the country’s minimum wage. According to a separate Eurostat release, in January 2020, 21 out of the 27 Member States of the EU had national minimum wage. Malta’s at the time was €777 per month. Two countries had very similar minimum wages. Portugal’s was €741 per month, yet food prices in Portugal were 4.1% lower than the European Union average. Greece’s minimum wage was €758 per month, and food prices in Greece were 2.1% higher than the European Union average.

Malta was far cheaper when it came to housing costs. This refers to rentals for housing, maintenance and repair, water supply, electricity, gas and other fuels for domestic use. Housing costs prices in Malta were 40.1% lower than the European Union average. Housing cost prices in Portugal were 19.5% lower than the European Union average, while such prices in Greece were 35% lower than the EU average.

Another sector dealt with consumer price levels for furniture and carpets, where such prices in Malta are the second highest in the European Union. Furniture and carpet prices in Malta were 17.5% higher than the European Union average, with only Luxembourg having higher prices.

In terms of restaurants and hotels, prices in Malta were 11.5% lower than the European Union average. The most expensive EU country in this regard is Denmark, where prices were 53.5% higher than the European Union average, while the cheapest is Bulgaria, where prices were 53.6% lower than the average.

In terms of ‘personal transport equipment’, referring to cars, motorcycles and bicycles (excluding repairs, fuel and maintenance), Malta was roughly at the EU average, as costs were just 0.3% higher than the average.

Malta was also quite average when it came to clothing and footwear costs, where prices in Malta were just 0.5% higher than the EU average.

The cost of public transport in the country was 24% lower than the EU average.

In terms of communications - which includes telephone equipment, services (including internet connection) and postal services - prices in Malta are 18.7% higher than the EU average.