Prices of goods and services in Slovenia amounted to 75% of the EU average in 2004 and 2005, the head of the Statistics Office Irena Krizman told the press on Friday, reported gzs.si.

While commodities were 16% cheaper on average, services cost more than 30% less, she said. However, several categories of items in Slovenia reached or even exceeded the average EU prices, according to the results of an international survey, commissioned by Eurostat and carried out by national statistics offices in 37 European countries. Indeed prices of clothes and footwear in Slovenia were on par with the then €25, with children's clothes even costing 15% more, said Zdenka Repotocnik of the office. The second most expensive group of products were food and soft drinks, which reached 86% of the EU average. Bread and other wheat-based products were the most expensive (5% below average EU prices) while the price of milk and eggs stood at 77% of what an EU consumer would pay.Slovenians, however, were able to drink and smoke for much less that their EU counterparts, as alcohol and tobacco cost 35% less, she said. Prices of commercial services were 34% lower on average, and of non-commercial (health, education, culture) 31% lower. Prices in restaurants and hotels stood at 66% of the EU25 average. Indeed, prices in the hospitality sector were 10% higher in Croatia and 35% in Turkey than in Slovenia, said Repotocnik. 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% less. ()