According to recent data from Eurostat, household electricity prices in the European Union (EU) have experienced a mixed trend in 2024. From January to June, the price of electricity for households decreased by 1.7% year-on-year, but compared to the second half of 2023, there was a 2.1% increase. This rise is seen as a sign of the gradual phasing out of state subsidies and an increase in duties in several EU countries.
The average price of electricity in the EU during the first half of the year stood at €28.9 per 100 kWh. In contrast, Croatia’s electricity price was almost half that amount, at €14.72 per 100 kWh, placing it among the countries with the lowest electricity prices in the EU. Alongside Croatia, countries like Malta, Bulgaria and Hungary enjoy some of the lowest electricity costs in the EU. Specifically, in Hungary, the price is just €10.9 per 100 kWh, in Bulgaria it is €11.8 per 100 kWh and in Malta, it stands at €12.5 per 100 kWh.
In contrast, Germany, Ireland and Denmark report the highest household electricity prices in the EU. For instance, Germany‘s price reaches €39.5 per 100 kWh, while Ireland and Denmark see prices of €37.4 and €37.1 respectively.
Croatia’s position as one of the EU countries with the lowest energy prices is not limited to electricity. The country also ranks among those with the lowest prices for natural gas. While the average price of gas in the EU was €11 per 100 kWh in the first half of 2024, in Croatia, the price stood at €4.5 per 100 kWh, including all taxes. However, Hungary maintains the lowest gas prices for households in the EU, with a price of just €2.75 per 100 kWh, thanks to its continued imports of inexpensive Russian gas.
Other countries with relatively low gas prices include Romania and Slovakia, where the price is around €5.8 per 100 kWh, while the highest household gas prices are seen in Sweden (€17.6 per 100 kWh) and the Netherlands (€16.3 per 100 kWh).
On an annual basis, natural gas prices for households in the EU have dropped by 7.2%, reflecting a broader trend of decreasing energy costs across the region. However, gasoline prices for households rose in seven EU countries in the first half of 2024, while they decreased in 15 others, signaling varied impacts from global energy market fluctuations.
Overall, Croatia continues to benefit from some of the lowest energy prices in the EU, particularly in terms of electricity and natural gas. This is a significant advantage for Croatian households, particularly in a time of rising global energy prices, though the country faces the challenge of balancing these low costs with the long-term sustainability of its energy infrastructure.
