In the second half of 2023, average household electricity prices in the EU decreased by 3.7% compared with the first half of the year, sliding to €28.5 per 100 kWh, and increased slightly compared with the second half in 2022 (€28.4 per 100 kWh).
In the euro area, households paid an average of €30 per 100kWh of electricity in the second half of 2023, 3.8% less than in the first half of the year. Compared with the first half of 2022, electricity prices were 3.1% higher.
"The costs of energy, supply and network, stabilised in the first semester of 2023, show a decrease in the second, still remaining at high levels, compared to cost before the price peak in 2022," Eurostat said.
Average gas prices for households in the EU in the second half of 2023 were 5% lower than in the first first half of the year, decreasing to €11.3 per 100 kWh. Compared with the second half of 2022, they were almost unchanged at €11.4 per 100 kWh.
In the euro area, household gas prices in the second half of 2023 went down by 7.6% to €12.2 per 100 kWh. Compared with the same time in 2022, they increased by 7.0%.
The lower household gas and electricity bills in the first half of 2023 reflected a drop in prices on the markets, which was partly offset by the abolition of state aid mechanisms.
The lowest household gas prices in the second half of 2023 were recorded in Hungary (€3.3 per 100 kWh), Croatia (€4.6) and Romania (€5.6) and the highest in the Netherlands (€24.8), Sweden (€20.7) and Ireland (€16.4).
Average household electricity prices in the second half of 2023 were lowest in Hungary (€11.3 per 100 kWh), Bulgaria (€11.9) and Malta (€12.8) and highest in Germany (€40.2), Ireland (€37.9) and Belgium (€37.8).
In Croatia, households paid €14.8 per 100 kWh of electricity in the second half of 2023.