EUROSTAT: EU penultimate in the EU The purchasing power of Greeks

Greece is in the penultimate ranking in terms of GDP per capita. Eurostat and is 30% lower than the European average. In the first place is Luxembourg and in the latter is Bulgaria.

In 2024, there are significant differences in GDP per capita, expressed by standards of purchasing power among EU countries. 10 countries, representing about 34% of the EU population, exceeded the EU average in GDP per capita.

Luxembourg and Ireland had the highest levels (141% and 111% above the EU average, respectively), long before the Netherlands (35% above the EU average), Denmark (+28%) and Belgium (+17%).

The lower level of GDP per capita was recorded in Bulgaria, with 34% below the EU average. Greece and Latvia also fell below average, by 30% and 29% respectively.

Geographical structure

Luxembourg has by far the highest GDP per capita among the 27 countries included in this comparison, with 141% above the EU average. This is partly explained by the fact that a large number of foreign residents are employed in the country and therefore contributes to its GDP while not part of it. Their consumer expenditure is recorded in their country’s national accounts.

Ireland comes second among EU Member States, with 111% above the EU average, followed by the Netherlands and Denmark, with GDP per capita above 20% above average. The high level of GDP per capita in Ireland can be partially explained by the presence of large multinational companies holding intellectual property. The contracting in line with these assets contributes to GDP, while much of the income gained from this production is returned to the final owners of companies abroad.

Belgium, Austria, Germany, Sweden, Malta and Finland were the other EU Member States with GDP per capita above the EU average. France, Italy, Cyprus, Spain, the Czech Republic and Slovenia were less than 10% below 10% below 10% below 10% below 10% below. 20% down.

The GDP per capita of Estonia, Poland, Romania, Croatia, Hungary, Slovakia and Latvia was 30% lower than the EU average. Greek GDP per capita was 30% below the EU average and Bulgaria recorded 34% of the EU.