Consumption in Bulgaria, Romania Was 50% of EU Average in 2013

Bulgaria registered in 2013 levels of consumption equaling 50% of the EU's average values, Eurostat data has shown.

Actual individual consumption (AIC) was the lowest in Bulgaria, which is closely followed by Romania, while Luxembourg topped the ranking with 38% above the medium rate, data from the EU's statistical body cited by the Daily Luxemburger Wort reveals.

Other countries ranking high include Germany (+20%), Austria, Sweden, Denmark, Belgium, Finland, France and the UK (+10-20 percent).

Crisis-affected Ireland, Italy, Cyprus and Spain were just 10% below the average, while Lithuania, Slovenia, Portugal, Poland, Slovakia and the Czech Republic were about 20% down.

Latvia, Estonia, Hungary and Croatia are at somewhere between -30 to -40 percent.

The AIC, measured per capita, reflects the level of household welfare.

Latest Eurostat numbers however suggest a growing gap between EU member states, with those having implemented austerity measures further reducing consumption rates.

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