Prices paid by Irish consumers were the second highest in the EU last year, according to new official data.
Irish prices were 42% higher than the EU average, according to Eurostat, just behind the 43% recorded in Denmark.
Lowest price levels were registered in Bulgaria and Romania, the price comparison survey shows.
The data also shows that the price level for alcohol and tobacco in Ireland was the highest anywhere in the EU, 3.2 times more than in Bulgaria, the least expensive location for such goods.
Ireland was also the third most expensive country for restaurants and hotels and for personal transport equipment, behind Denmark and Finland.
The survey examines the difference in prices of over 2,000 consumer goods and services across the EU.
The most expensive clothes were in Denmark, Czechia and Estonia, while Luxembourg had the highest food and non-alcoholic beverage costs.
Consumer electronics cost the most in France.
