Prices of goods and services in Slovenia amounted to 75 percent of the EU average in 2004 and 2005, according to the results of an international survey made public on Friday.

While commodities were 16 percent cheaper on average, services cost more than 30 percent less, according to the results of an international survey, commissioned by Eurostat and carried out by national statistics offices in 37 European countries.

Prices of clothes and footwear in Slovenia were on par with the then EU25, with children's clothes even costing 15 percent more.

The second most expensive group of products was food and soft drinks, which reached 86 percent of the EU average. Bread and other wheat-based products were the most expensive (5 percent below average EU prices) while the price of milk and eggs stood at 77 percent of what an EU consumer would pay.

Slovenians, whose country joined the EU on May 1, 2004, were able to drink and smoke for much less that their EU counterparts, as alcohol and tobacco cost 35 percent less.

Prices of commercial services were 34 percent lower on average, and of non-commercial (health, education, culture) 31 percent lower. Prices in restaurants and hotels stood at 66 percent of the EU25 average.

Despite the lower overall prices, lower income in real terms meant that Slovenians could not purchase as many items and services as their EU counterparts. Compared to the EU average, Slovenians could buy 25 percent less.

Source: Xinhua