Europe remains economically uneven: the gap in living standards between countries is significant. Find out which EU countries were the richest and poorest in 2025, according to Eurostat data
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The European Union remains an economically diverse region: the disparity in living standards between countries is still significant. According to new Eurostat data for 2025, residents of certain countries can afford significantly more goods and services than residents of other EU nations.
As reported by Euronews citing Eurostat, Luxembourg and Ireland remain the wealthiest countries, while Bulgaria and Greece are at the bottom of the ranking.
GDP per capita: how is it calculated, and what does the indicator show?
The ranking is based on GDP per capita adjusted for purchasing power. This means that not only income levels but also prices within the country are taken into account. In 2025, the EU average was approximately €41,600—this figure is set at 100%. It serves as the benchmark for comparing economies.
By this criterion, only 10 of the 27 EU countries exceed the average. The rest—mostly countries in Eastern and Southern Europe—are still catching up to more developed economies.
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The Richest Countries in Europe in 2025
Luxembourg remains at the top of the ranking—its figure stands at 239% of the EU average, or about €99,300 per person. Also in the top tier are:
● Ireland — 237% (≈€98,800)
● Netherlands — 134%
● Denmark — 127%
● Austria — 117%
Belgium, Sweden, Malta, and Finland are also above average. These countries demonstrate a consistently high standard of living and purchasing power among their populations.
Among the largest EU economies, Germany performed best—115% of the average. France (98%) and Italy (96%) are close to the average, while Spain lags slightly behind at 92%.
The poorest EU countries: where is purchasing power lowest?
The lowest GDP per capita figures are recorded in Bulgaria and Greece—only 68% of the EU average. The group of countries with lower levels of prosperity also includes:
● Latvia—71%
● Slovakia — 75%
● Hungary — 76%
● Croatia, Romania, and Estonia — 79% each
The case of Greece is particularly telling; it has been an EU member for many years but still lags significantly behind wealthier countries in terms of income.
Despite the significant gap between “old” and “new” Europe, economists note positive trends in certain countries. In particular, Bulgaria has managed to increase its GDP per capita by more than €10,000 over the past five years—a 61.7% increase. However, even such growth rates do not yet allow for a rapid narrowing of the gap with the leaders.
At the same time, these differences should be taken into account when planning a trip or relocation.
For example, the cost of living can vary significantly depending on the country, so it’s important to prepare all necessary documents before your trip. In particular, an electronic vignette is mandatory for driving in Europe—you can quickly obtain it online through Visit Ukraine, which helps you avoid fines and unnecessary delays on the road.
We remind you! European countries with a high quality of life continue to attract people from all over the world. Read about which countries topped the ranking of the best European countries to live and work in, how much it costs to live there, and what attracts foreigners to them.
Photo: Powerlightss / Freepik
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Frequantly
asked questions
Which EU country has the highest GDP per capita?
Luxembourg remains the leader — its figure stands at 239% of the EU average.
Which European countries are considered the poorest in terms of income?
The lowest levels are recorded in Bulgaria and Greece — around 68% of the EU average.
What does GDP per capita based on purchasing power parity mean?
It is an indicator that takes into account not only income but also the price level in the country, allowing for a more accurate assessment of the real standard of living.