GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT : SIGNIFICANT DIFFERENCES IN PURCHASING POWER BETWEEN MEMBER STATES.

• Position: Brief article

Per capita GDP in Luxembourg, expressed in terms of purchasing power standards (PPS(1)), was more than twice the 25 EU member states' average in 2005, while Ireland was about 40% above the average. The Netherlands, Austria, Denmark, Belgium, the United Kingdom and Sweden were between approximately 15% and 25% above the average. Finland, Germany and France recorded figures about 10% above the EU25 average.Meanwhile, Italy and Spain were around the average, according to figures released on 18 December by Eurostat.

Eurostat nevertheless points out that the GDP per capita volume indices are not fully...