European Purchasing Power Projected to Reach €21,153 in 2026

Average per capita purchasing power in Europe is forecasted to rise to €21,153 in 2026, according to new data from Nielsen IQ. Despite the overall increase, the report highlights significant economic disparities across 42 countries, with Liechtenstein, Switzerland, and Iceland maintaining the highest disposable incomes.

Collectively, Europeans will possess a total purchasing power of approximately €14.5 trillion in 2026. This budget covers essential expenditures such as housing, energy, and mobility, as well as private savings and leisure. The projected average of €21,153 per inhabitant represents a nominal growth of 4.4% compared to the previous year.

Liechtenstein remains the leader in the European ranking, with a per capita purchasing power of €78,520—nearly 3.7 times the continental average. Switzerland and Iceland follow, with residents possessing €54,730 and €44,692 per capita, respectively. Norway saw the most significant rise in the Top 10, moving from tenth to fifth place.

While the gap between European markets is gradually narrowing, purchasing power remains concentrated in specific regions. Central and Southeastern Europe continue to develop more dynamically than Western Europe, though Western markets remain the most significant in terms of sheer size and volume.

In many nations, economic power is highly centralized in capital cities. For instance, in Romania, the purchasing power in Bucharest is more than double the national average. Conversely, Berlin and Brussels remain outliers, with purchasing power levels falling below their respective national averages. The Île-de-France region remains Europe’s largest metropolitan market with a volume of €396 billion, followed by Lombardy and the Istanbul metropolitan region.