Prices of alcohol and tobacco in Bulgaria rose close to 409 per cent between 2000 and 2017 – Eurostat
Prices in Bulgaria increased by 84.6 per cent between the year 2000 and 2017, with alcohol and tobacco prices jumping the most, by 408.8 per cent, EU statistics agency Eurostat said on September 3.
A packet of cigarettes in Bulgaria currently costs from about five to six leva – about 2.5 to three euro.
The overall rise in prices in Bulgaria was significantly higher than the average for the EU, which was 36 per cent.
However, separate statistics previously have shown that Bulgaria has the lowest consumer prices in the EU – but also the lowest incomes.
Other items shown in the Eurostat report to have significantly increased in price in Bulgaria between 2000 and 2017 include restaurants and hotels (122 per cent), housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels (130.6 per cent), health (154.7 per cent) and education (214.5 per cent).
Prices of clothing and footwear went up by 26.7 per cent, of furniture by 13.7 per cent, of communications by 9.7 per cent, and of recreation and culture by 17.4 per cent.
While the overall inflation rate can be considered as moderate in the EU since the start of the millennium, significant price variations are noticeable at a detailed level, Eurostat said of the figures for the EU.
Between 2000 and 2017, prices in the EU have risen by 36 per cent overall. The highest increases were registered for “alcoholic beverages and tobacco” as well as for “education” where prices rose by more than 90 per cent.
“Housing, water, electricity and gas” as well as “restaurants and hotels” followed with growth rates of more than 55 per cent. Prices for “clothing and footwear” remained nearly stable, while prices for “communications” decreased by more than 20 per cent, Eurostat said.
