Rising gas and electricity bills: How does the UK compare with Europe?

Energy bills in the UK will leap by 80% this winter, the country's energy regulator Ofgem announced today, as the Ukraine war continues to drive up prices.  

The hike means the average household will pay €4,182 (£3,549) each year to heat and power their homes, leading NGOs to warn that millions will be plunged into poverty -- unless the government steps in. 

But how do UK energy prices compare to those across Europe? 

These infographics show which European households are forking out the most for their gas and electricity bills and those paying the least.

The above chart shows how much those living in Europe are paying on average for their electricity.

Even before today's hike was announced, UK households faced some of the highest prices in Europe -- nearly double France. Only the Czech Republic was higher than the UK, which was followed by Italy and Estonia. 

Norway, which has large reserves of oil and gas, has the cheapest electricity bills, ahead of Switzerland and Malta in second and third, respectively. 

Having recently struck new energy deals with Russia, households in Hungary are also paying some of the lowest rates for their electricity in Europe.  

The chart is based on data for July and compares prices for households in European capitals. 

To standardise the data -- and so make a comparison possible -- the prices are adjusted to purchasing power standards (PPS), which eliminates the price level differences between countries by using an artificial common currency.  

Gas prices

Using the same methodology as the previous infographic, this chart compares gas prices in Europe. 

While there are some similarities to electricity prices -- with both Hungary and Serbia paying the least for their gas -- most countries fare