Ever wondered how deep you’d have to dig into your pockets to enjoy a cold pint on a hot day in Europe?
Or perhaps, how many beers you could buy in Belarus with the change you found under your couch?
Well, pack your bags and your thirst, as we embark on a bubbly journey across Europe, mapping out the highs and lows (mostly the prices, but perhaps your spirits too!) of grabbing a 0.5 liter draft beer.
From the icy taps of Iceland to the surprisingly affordable brews of Belarus, we’ve got the scoop on where your beer budget will have you living like royalty and where you might have to stick to window shopping at the restaurant.
Methodology
Data was collected from the website numbeo.com listing the cost of a 0.5 liter draft beer in various European countries. The countries were ranked based on the cost, with Iceland being the most expensive and Belarus being the least expensive.
| Rank | Country | Domestic Beer (0,5 liter draught) |
| 1 | Iceland | 8,8 |
| 2 | Norway | 8,48 |
| 3 | Switzerland | 7,31 |
| 4 | Finland | 7 |
| 5 | Denmark | 6,7 |
| 6 | Sweden | 6,35 |
| 7 | France | 6 |
| 8 | Ireland | 5,5 |
| 9 | UK | 5,17 |
| 10 | Luxembourg | 5 |
| 11 | Italy | 5 |
| 12 | Netherlands | 5 |
| 13 | Germany | 4,5 |
| 14 | Estonia | 4,5 |
| 15 | Lithuania | 4,4 |
| 16 | Austria | 4,2 |
| 17 | Greece | 4 |
| 18 | Latvia | 4 |
| 19 | Belgium | 4 |
| 20 | Cyprus | 3,1 |
| 21 | Malta | 3 |
| 22 | Slovenia | 2,8 |
| 23 | Poland | 2,69 |
| 24 | Croatia | 2,65 |
| 25 | Turkey | 2,5 |
| 26 | Spain | 2,5 |
| 27 | Montenegro | 2,5 |
| 28 | Serbia | 2,05 |
| 29 | Czech Republic | 2,03 |
| 30 | Portugal | 2 |
| 31 | Slovakia | 2 |
| 32 | Albania | 1,9 |
| 33 | Hungary | 1,82 |
| 34 | North Macedonia | 1,61 |
| 35 | Romania | 1,61 |
| 36 | Bulgaria | 1,53 |
| 37 | Bosnia and Herzegovina | 1,53 |
| 38 | Russia | 1,52 |
| 39 | Moldova | 1,3 |
| 40 | Ukraine | 1,04 |
| 41 | Belarus | 1 |
Findings
Highest Prices:
- Iceland tops the list with a price of 8.8 for a 0.5 liter draft beer.
- Other countries in the top 5 by price include Norway (8.48), Switzerland (7.31), Finland (7), and Denmark (6.7).
Middle Range Prices:
- Countries like France (6), UK (5.17), Germany (4.5), and Belgium (4) fall in the mid-range category.
Lowest Prices:
- Eastern European and some Balkan countries generally have lower beer prices. Belarus offers the lowest price at 1 for a 0.5 liter draft beer.
- Other countries in the bottom 5 by price include Ukraine (1.04), Moldova (1.3), Russia (1.52), and Bulgaria and Bosnia and Herzegovina both at 1.53.
Average Price:
- The average price of a 0.5 liter draft beer across the 41 European countries is approximately 4.07.
Discussion
- The price of beer is influenced by various factors, including taxation policies, production costs, import duties, and consumer demand.
- Northern European countries, particularly those in Scandinavia, tend to have higher alcohol taxes, which could explain the higher beer prices.
- Eastern European countries, known for their beer production, have lower prices, possibly due to lower production costs and higher local consumption.
The verdict
The cost of a 0.5 liter draft beer varies significantly across Europe, with Northern European countries generally having higher prices and Eastern European countries offering more affordable options. This study provides a snapshot of the beer market across Europe, highlighting the diversity in pricing strategies and consumer preferences.
3 Responses
This data seems to be from 2016
Actually it’s from the past 12 months from thousands of users all over Europe (numbeo).
pretty fried isnt it