New figures from the Central Statistics Office (CSO) reveal that Ireland was one of the most expensive countries in Europe for essential goods in 2024. The survey, which compared prices across 36 European nations, highlighted Ireland's significantly higher costs for food, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, and tobacco.
Pricey Provisions: Food Costs Soar
Ireland's food prices were the second most expensive in the Eurozone last year, and the third most expensive overall among the 27 EU member states, standing 12% above the EU average.
Breaking down food categories, Ireland ranked:
Third most expensive in the Eurozone for bread and cereals.
Sixth most expensive for fruits, vegetables, and potatoes.
Eighth most expensive for milk, cheese, eggs, and fish.
Twelfth most expensive for oils and fats.
Ninth most expensive for meat, notably the only food category where prices were not higher than the EU average.
Globally, Switzerland had the highest food prices, 61% above the EU average, while North Macedonia had the lowest, 27% below.
Alcohol and Tobacco: A Hefty Price Tag
Ireland also held the unenviable position of being the second most expensive country in both the Eurozone and the EU for alcoholic drinks, with prices nearly double the EU average. For non-alcoholic drinks, Ireland was the most expensive of the 36 countries surveyed, with prices 40% higher than the EU average.
Tobacco prices in Ireland were the highest among all 36 surveyed countries, an astonishing 159% above the EU average.
In comparison, Iceland had the highest alcohol prices (185% above EU average), while Italy offered the cheapest (16% below). North Macedonia was the least expensive for non-alcoholic drinks, and Turkiye had the lowest tobacco prices.
Broader Cost of Living Concerns
These findings follow a Consumer Price Index (CPI) report for June, which indicated that food prices in Ireland have more than doubled compared to other goods and services over the past year. The rising cost of living has had a tangible impact on households; a recent report by the children's charity Bardarnos revealed that four in ten parents had skipped meals or reduced portion sizes to ensure their children had enough to eat in the last six months.
The issue of rising grocery costs has been a topic of debate in the Dáil, with the Social Democrats urging the government to mandate that supermarket chains publish their profits. Taoiseach Micheál Martin, in response, highlighted the government's significant cost-of-living packages introduced after Russia's invasion of Ukraine and the subsequent inflation surge. He also pointed to initiatives like free school lunches, free school books, and free public transport for some students as measures to support households.
Despite opposition calls for continued one-off cost-of-living measures, the government has ruled them out for Budget 2026. However, Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil ministers have indicated that October's budget will include more targeted support for those most in need, while also acknowledging the necessity of cutting public spending in the face of potential US tariffs.
Post a Comment