Luxembourg remains the tenth most expensive place to live in the world according to figures published by number-crunchers Numbeo, however, its gradual descent down the scale continues.
In fact, the Grand Duchy’s cost of living not including rents has dropped to fifteenth, jumping to tenth once accommodation is factored in. In an apparent anomlay, the opposite was true last year when Luxembourg’s bare cost of living was enough to see it ranked the eighth most expensive country in the world, only falling to tenth once rents were added on.
Since 2013 — when Luxembourg was added to Numbeo’s data — Luxembourg joins Australia, New Zealand and Sweden in falling down the rankings indicating the emergence of more liveable relative costs of living.
That year, Luxembourg was ranked as the fourth most expensive country in the world (fifth including rent), however it has continued to climb (or fall, depending on your point of view) since then.
Within Europe, Luxembourg was listed as the sixth most expensive place to live in 2017 — exceeded by Switzerland, Iceland, Norway, Italy and Denmark — jumping to fourth once the cost of rents are calculated. With rent, only Switzerland, Iceland and Norway are more expensive.
This year, the UK fell out of the top 20 altogether, dropping to number 29, possibly a result of a weakening of the pound following the referendum on Brexit in the middle of last year.
Meanwhile, Switzerland, Norway and Denmark seem reluctant to give up their position among the top ten most expensive places to live in the world, including the cost of rent, where they are joined by tax havens, Bermuda, the Bahamas and the US Virgin Islands, as well as Iceland, Japan, Italy and Denmark.
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