Big Mac index shows Romanians’ purchasing power at 74% of euro-area average

Romanians can buy 339 Big Mac hamburgers with an average net wage, 48% more than four years ago, according to the Economist's Big Mac Index, quoted by Ziarul Financiar.

Their number of Big Macs Romanians can buy represents 74% of the average in the euro area. In the region, Poland fares better (357 hamburgers), as opposed to Hungarians (310 hamburgers) and the Czechs (289 hamburgers).

Notably, the net wages in Hungary (EUR 1,000) and Czechia (EUR 1,100) are higher than in Romania. Still, the price of a Big Mac is also higher, resulting in a lower "Big Mac purchasing power."

In the eurozone, an average net wage of EUR 2,200 pays for some 458 Big Mac hamburgers.

Romania's GDP per capita expressed in Purchasing Power Standards (PPS) increased to 69% of the EU average and 65% of the average in the euro area in 2019 (up 3pp from 2018).

Poland's GDP in PPS is still 4pp higher than Romania's as a share of the euro area average.

(Photo: Vadims Puzdrans | Dreamstime.com)