Only two of France’s 13 regions have per-capita purchasing power above the national average. These same two regions comprise almost one-third of the French population: Ile-de-France and Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes. The capital city region of Ile-de-France leads the rankings by a significant margin. Inhabitants of Paris and the surrounding area have €22,983 per person, which is almost 18 percent more than the national average and 65 percent more than the European average.

As was the case last year, last place is occupied by Hauts-de-France, which consists of the former regions of Nord-Pas-de-Calais and Picardie. Hauts-de-France has a per-capita purchasing power of €17,103, which is 12.5 percent less than the national average, but still almost 23 percent more than the European average.

The Germany-bordering region of Alsace was among France’s regions with the most purchasing power in the years prior to the administrative reform. Following the fusion of Alsace with less affluent Champagne-Ardenne and Lorraine, the newly formed region of Grand Est is now in tenth place among France’s 13 regions.

Spain firmly in the midfield

With a per-capita purchasing power of €14,080, Spain is just one percent above the European average. The country is relatively alone in the midfield with regard to the purchasing power values of the other countries con-sidered by the study. No other nation comes close to the European average. Italy, the next most affluent country, has a per-capita purchasing power of €17,119, which is almost 23 percent more than the European average. By contrast, Malta, the next least affluent country, has a per-capita purchasing power of €11,648, which is more than 16 percent less than the European average.

The most average purchasing power values in Spain can be found in the northern province of Asturias: This province lies directly on the Bay of Biscay and is known for its green coastal landscape. With a per-capita purchasing power of €13,995, Asturias is 0.6 percent below the Spanish average and 0.4 percent above the European average.

Top 10 provinces in Spain

source: © GfK Purchasing Power Spain 2017                         * index: value per inhabitant / average = 100

Spain’s province with the most purchasing power is Araba/Alava, which toppled Gipuzkoa to take first place in this year’s rankings. Inhabitants of Araba/Alava have €18,973 per person, which is 35 percent more than the national average. Ranked in last place in 2016, the Andalusian province of Cadiz remains in that position in this year’s rankings. Inhabitants of this province have a per-capita purchasing power of €9,729, which is more than 30 percent less than the national average.

Major purchasing power gap between northern and southern Italy

Italy has an average per-capita purchasing power of €17,119. This puts the country at almost 23 percent above the European average and in sixteenth place among the 42 countries considered by the study.

Among Italy’s 109 provinces, Macerata and Pistoia have the most average purchasing power values. Inhabitants of Macerata have an average of €17,178 per person, while inhabitants of Pistoia have an average of €17,176 per person. This is 0.3 percent higher than the national average and more than 23 percent higher than the European average.

Top 10 provinces in Italy

source: © GfK Purchasing Power Italy 2017                            *index: value per inhabitant / average = 100