The average for 2021 based on 41 countries was 107.05 index points. The highest value was in Switzerland: 211.98 index points and the lowest value was in Belarus: 40.99 index points. The indicator is available from 2017 to 2021. Below is a chart for all countries where data are available.

A table comparing the cost of living in various European Union countries, including expenses for rent, utilities, food, and transportation in major cities

According to a mid-2024 index, *********** was the most expensive country to live in Europe, with an index score of ****.******** followed in the second place with around ** points less.

High inflation driven by rising energy and food costs are causing a severe cost of living crisis in Europe. As of September 2022, the majority of people surveyed in seven European countries advised they had curbed their spending as a consquence, ranging from 69 percent in Italy to 54 percent in Sweden.

Rising prices, inflation, and the cost of living were seen by almost half of the people in the European Union as being one of the two most important issues facing their country in 2023. Among EU member states, the top three countries concerned with rising inflation were Croatia, Austria, and Bulgaria, while their counterparts in Sweden, Denmark, and Italy were the least concerned with inflation, compared to other issues.

Table showing the country rankings based in the different metrics analysed

The rise in housing prices impacts households differently depending on their income. In Greece, households with incomes below the median spent over 60 percent of their disposable income on housing, while those with incomes above the median spent around 30 percent.

Percentage of the population living in a household where total housing costs (net of housing allowances) represent more than 40% of the total disposable household income (net of housing allowances).

Portugal, Spain and Bulgaria are the countries most at risk of energy poverty in the European Union. As of 2023, over one fifth of households in each country were unable to adequately heat their homes. They were followed Lithuania, where another 20 percent of households struggled to keep their houses warm.

Life satisfaction in the European Union has seen a general growth trend between 2022 and 2023, with the score recorded for the EU as a whole increasing from 7.1 out of 10 to 7.3 out of 10 in 2023. At the same time, the decline between 2018 and 2022 could be explined by the The COVID-19 pandemic and related public health restrictions as life satisfaction tended to decrease due to the isolating effects of lockdowns, while the economic conditions such as historically high inflation have also led to dissatisfaction in the years since the beginning of the pandemic. Germany, in particular, has seen a dramatic decline in its citizens' evaluations of their own life satisfaction, as Germans' life satisfaction score declined from 7.4 in 2018, the highest of all the included countries in that year, to 7.0 in 2023. The country's economy has struggled with stagflation in the aftermath of the pandemic and Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, while political and social polarization has also been a growing problem in Germany during the early 2020s.

These data were gathered in order to determine the cost of living as well as the cost of production in selected industries in the United States and several Western European countries. The study is comprised of nine industries (cotton and woolen textiles, glass, pig iron, bar iron, steel, bituminous coal, coke, and iron ore) and contains family-level information on the household composition, income and expenditures of workers in these industries. Additional topics covered include sources of income, ages and sex of children, detailed occupation of the household head, detailed expenditures for food as well as nonfood items, and characteristics of the family's dwelling units.

The Russian-Ukranian conflict was seen as the most important issue facing the European Union in 2025. The current international situation was seen as the second most pressing issue, ahead of security and defense.

Luxembourg stands out as the European leader in quality of life for 2025, achieving a score of 220 on the Quality of Life Index. The Netherlands follows closely behind with 211 points, while Albania and Ukraine rank at the bottom with scores of 104 and 115 respectively. This index provides a thorough assessment of living conditions across Europe, reflecting various factors that shape the overall well-being of populations and extending beyond purely economic metrics. Understanding the quality of life index The quality of life index is a multifaceted measure that incorporates factors such as purchasing power, pollution levels, housing affordability, cost of living, safety, healthcare quality, traffic conditions, and climate, to measure the overall quality of life of a Country. Higher overall index scores indicate better living conditions. However, in subindexes such as pollution, cost of living, and traffic commute time, lower values correspond to improved quality of life. Challenges affecting life satisfaction Despite the fact that European countries register high levels of life quality by for example leading the ranking of happiest countries in the world, life satisfaction across the European Union has been on a downward trend since 2018. The EU's overall life satisfaction score dropped from 7.3 out of 10 in 2018 to 7.1 in 2022. This decline can be attributed to various factors, including the COVID-19 pandemic and economic challenges such as high inflation. Rising housing costs, in particular, have emerged as a critical concern, significantly affecting quality of life. This issue has played a central role in shaping voter priorities for the European Parliamentary Elections in 2024 and becoming one of the most pressing challenges for Europeans, profoundly influencing both daily experiences and long-term well-being.

Sampling Procedure Comment: Probability Sample: Multistage Stratified Random Sample

This scatter chart displays urban population living in areas where elevation is below 5 meters (% of total population) against expense (% of GDP) in Europe. The data is about countries.

In 2024, Paris was the most livable city worldwide according to the Global Power City Index (GCPI), with 404.8 points. Furthermore, Madrid was the second most livable city with 387.8 points, while Tokyo was the third with 285.1 points. The criteria taken into consideration include, among others, costs and ease of living, number of retail shops and restaurants, and availability of medical services.

Finland was ranked the happiest country in the world, according to the World Happiness Report from 2025. The Nordic country scored 7.74 on a scale from 0 to 10. Two other Nordic countries, Denmark and Iceland, followed in second and third place, respectively. The World Happiness Report is a landmark survey of the state of global happiness that ranks countries by how happy their citizens perceive themselves to be. Criticism The index has received criticism from different perspectives. Some argue that it is impossible to measure general happiness in a country. Others argue that the index places too much emphasis on material well-being as well as freedom from oppression. As a result, the Happy Planet Index was introduced, which takes life expectancy, experienced well-being, inequality of outcomes, and ecological footprint into account. Here, Costa Rica was ranked as the happiest country in the world. Afghanistan is the least happy country Nevertheless, most people agree that high levels of poverty, lack of access to food and water, as well as a prevalence of conflict are factors hindering public happiness. Hence, it comes as no surprise that Afghanistan was ranked as the least happy country in the world in 2024. The South Asian country is ridden by poverty and undernourishment, and topped the Global Terrorism Index in 2024.

The Special Eurobarometer on social climate monitors perceptions of the economic situation of households, of the national economy and social protection. It covers 15 areas, e.g. personal financial situation, affordability of housing, health care provision, the way national governments address inequalities and poverty and the perceived changes to the cost of living. This is the 5th wave following the 1st conducted in 2009 (Special EB 315), the 2nd in 2010 (Special EB 349), the 3rd in 2011 (Special EB 370) and the 4th in 2012 (Special EB 391). The EU27 social climate index went down slightly in 2013 to reach the lowest figure since 2009, masking substantial differences between Member States. #####The results by volumes are distributed as follows: * Volume A: Countries * Volume AA: Groups of countries * Volume A' (AP): Trends * Volume AA' (AAP): Trends of groups of countries * Volume B: EU/socio-demographics * Volume C: Country/socio-demographics ---- Researchers may also contact GESIS - Leibniz Institute for the Social Sciences: http://www.gesis.org/en/home/

Annual ranking of countries for digital nomads based on internet speed, cost of living, safety, visa policies, and tax benefits

The European condominiums and apartments market is experiencing robust growth, projected to maintain a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) exceeding 5.50% from 2025 to 2033. This expansion is fueled by several key drivers. Increasing urbanization across major European cities like London, Paris, Berlin, and Amsterdam is creating significant demand for residential properties, particularly within conveniently located, modern condominium and apartment complexes. Furthermore, favorable government policies aimed at boosting housing affordability and stimulating construction activity in several European nations are contributing to the market's expansion. Strong economic growth in several key European markets, coupled with rising disposable incomes and a growing preference for urban living amongst millennials and young professionals, are also driving demand. The market is segmented by production, consumption, import/export analysis (both value and volume), and price trends, allowing for a granular understanding of the market's dynamics. Leading players such as CPI Property Group, Aroundtown Property Holdings, and others are actively shaping the market through development projects and strategic acquisitions. While supply chain disruptions and fluctuating construction material costs pose some restraints, the overall market outlook remains positive, driven by long-term demographic trends and a sustained focus on urban development. The regional breakdown shows significant market activity across Western and Northern Europe, with the United Kingdom, Germany, France, and the Netherlands representing key markets. The continued development of smart homes and sustainable building practices is a significant trend within the sector, impacting both construction methods and consumer preferences. Market analysis reveals a positive correlation between economic growth and demand for higher-end apartments and condominiums, with premium properties commanding higher prices. The sustained growth in the tourism sector in certain European countries also impacts rental yields and property values, leading to investment in new development projects aimed at catering to both local and international buyers. The market shows resilience to economic downturns due to the underlying demand driven by population growth and urbanization, although pricing may fluctuate based on interest rates and economic conditions. Overall, the European condominiums and apartments market presents attractive opportunities for investors and developers alike, despite the challenges presented by global economic uncertainty. This in-depth report provides a comprehensive analysis of the European condominiums and apartments market, covering the period from 2019 to 2033. It delves into market trends, key players, and future growth prospects, offering invaluable insights for investors, developers, and industry professionals. The report utilizes data from the base year 2025 and forecasts up to 2033, incorporating historical data from 2019-2024. Recent developments include: November 2022: Ukio, a short-term furnished apartment rental platform aimed at the "flexible workforce," raised a Series-A round of funding totalling EUR 27 million (USD 28 million). The cash injection totalled EUR 17 million (USD 18.03 million) in equity and EUR 10 million (USD 10.61 million) in debt and came 14 months after the Spanish company announced a seed round of funding of EUR 9 million (USD 9.54 million)., September 2022: Gamuda Land planned to expand its international markets, with a significant expansion plan that will see the developer add an average of five new overseas projects per year beginning in the fiscal year 2023 (FY2023). This move follows the opening of Gamuda Land's first property in the United Kingdom (West Hampstead Central in London) and second in Australia (The Canopy on Normanby in Melbourne).. Key drivers for this market are: Increasing Developments in the Residential Segment, Investments in the Senior Living Units. Potential restraints include: Limited Availability of Land Hindering the Market. Notable trends are: Demand for Affordable Housing.