Good that there are statistics and we can base our complains on real facts and statistical data. Eurostat found out that household electricity and gas prices rose between the second half of 2011 and the second half of 2012 in the Europe of 27. In simple English, that is between July 2011 and July 2012.
Average price increase in electricity was 6.6% and average gas price increase was at 10.3%. These increases have followed other increases in the year before.
Change in electricity prices ranged from -5% in Sweden to +21% in Cyprus.
Between the second half of 2011 and the second half of 2012, the highest increases in household electricity prices in national currency were registered in Cyprus(+21%), Greece(+15%), Italy(+11%), Ireland and Portugal(both+10%), Bulgaria, Spain and Poland (all +9%).
In some countries price decreases have been observed.
The average electricity price in the EU27 was 19.7 euro per 100 kWh.
When expressed in purchasing power standards (PPS) the highest price was in Cyprus (32.9), Portugal (25.7)
Change in gas prices for households ranged from -8% in Slovenia to +21% in Latvia.
Expressed in euro, the highest household gas prices were in Sweden (12.7), Denmark (10.8) and Greece (10.2) per 100 kWh. (full Eurostat report here)
I’m honestly EUro-proud to see Greeks, Spanish, Portuguese, Irish enjoy austerity-hit salaries and pensions but pay prices as high as the wealthy North.
Seeking a Euro solution
Not to mention that Greeks pay in general higher prices for goods and service, virtually to the same level to those in Germany!
Despite five years of recession that have reduced Greece’s gross domestic product by a quarter, prices continue to be high, virtually level to those in Germany whose economy is the most resilient in Europe, according to a new study by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).
