Eurostat has released new data on living standards in Europe, and the disparities between countries are significant. In some countries, incomes are more than double the EU average, while in others they barely reach half that level. Find out which countries topped the rankings and which remain at the bottom

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According to the latest Eurostat data, the disparity in living standards among European countries remains significant even within the EU. A key indicator for assessing well-being is GDP per capita adjusted for purchasing power (PPS), which allows for accurate comparisons between countries with different price levels.

According to Euronews, citing Eurostat, the gap between the richest and poorest countries in Europe will exceed threefold by 2026. The top-ranked countries are significantly ahead of the EU average, while some countries in Eastern and Southern Europe still lag far behind.

At the same time, even within the European Union, indicators can vary drastically, affecting wage levels, purchasing power, and overall quality of life. In this article, we will examine which countries topped the ranking, who ended up at the bottom of the list, and how wide the economic gap in Europe is today.

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Europe’s Richest Countries by GDP per Capita

Eurostat measures prosperity using GDP per capita in purchasing power standards (PPS), where the EU average is set at 100. This allows for an objective comparison of countries with different price levels and costs of living.

Index of GDP per capita in purchasing power standards (2025). Source: Euronews, based on Eurostat data.

According to data for 2025, Luxembourg remains the undisputed leader in Europe with a figure of 239% of the EU average. This is more than double the EU average. Second place goes to Ireland – 237%, which is almost equal to Luxembourg’s level.

The group of countries with the highest levels of prosperity also includes:

1. Netherlands – 134%

2. Denmark – 127%

3. Austria – 117%

4. Germany and Belgium – 115% each

5. Sweden and Malta – 110% each

6. Finland – 101%

Thus, only 10 EU countries exceed the average level, and they are home to approximately one-third of the EU’s population. This underscores that high income levels in Europe are concentrated in a relatively small group of countries.

At the same time, the situation is more subdued among the major EU economies. Germany stands at 115% of the average, while France (98%), Italy (96%), and Spain (92%) are at or below the average.

When looking at absolute figures, the difference is even more pronounced. In 2025:

1. In Luxembourg, GDP per capita is approximately €99,300

2. In Ireland—€98,800

3. In the Netherlands — €55,600

4. In Denmark — €52,800

5. In Austria — €48,900

For comparison, the EU average is €41,600, which is nearly half that of the leading countries.

These figures highlight a key trend: even within Europe, there is a significant economic gap, and the leading countries are well ahead of the average in terms of both purchasing power parity and actual income.

Learn more about the cheapest countries to live in 2026 by following the link.

Europe’s poorest countries by income level

Despite economic growth in recent years, some European countries still lag significantly behind the EU average. Eurostat data for 2025 shows that the gap between the wealthiest and least affluent countries exceeds a threefold difference.

The lowest GDP per capita (PPS) figures are recorded in the countries of Southern and Eastern Europe. In particular, Bulgaria and Greece have only 68% of the EU average, which is the lowest figure in the Union.

Next are:

- Latvia – 71%

- Slovakia – 75%

- Hungary – 76%

- Romania and Croatia – 78% each

- Estonia – 79%

- Poland and Portugal – 81% each

These figures mean that even when accounting for price differences, the purchasing power of the population in these countries is significantly lower than the EU average.

In monetary terms, the gap is even more pronounced. In 2025:

1. In Bulgaria – approximately 28,300 euros per person

2. In Greece – 28,500 euros

3. In Latvia – 29,500 euros

4. In Slovakia – €31,100

5. In Hungary – €31,600

Thus, the disparity among European countries remains substantial: even within a single economic area, income levels and purchasing power can vary by a factor of several times.

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What does this gap mean for living and moving within Europe?

Differences in GDP per capita directly impact daily life: from wage levels and the cost of living to the quality of healthcare, education, and social protection. And although the EU strives for economic convergence, in practice conditions vary greatly across countries.

For those planning to move or work in Europe, this data has practical significance. A high GDP per capita typically means:

- Higher average wages and more opportunities for career growth

- Better quality of public services, including healthcare and education

- Higher purchasing power, even accounting for high prices

At the same time, countries with lower figures may have their own advantages. In particular, a lower cost of living makes them attractive to those who work remotely or earn income from abroad. Additionally, many Eastern European countries are experiencing steady economic growth, which is gradually narrowing the gap with Western nations.

It is important to note that GDP per capita is a general indicator that does not always reflect citizens’ actual incomes. For example, in countries with a large share of international business, statistics may be significantly higher than the actual level of household income.

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We remind you! Which countries became the richest in the world in 2026 and how did the global ranking change over the year? New economic indicators show who was able to increase their GDP and who lost ground due to inflation and slowing growth. The ranking of the richest countries in the world in 2026 and the main changes of the year can be found at the link.

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