Statistics: Germans pay 80% more for gas than before the war in Ukraine
Households in Germany today pay almost 80% more for gas than before the conflict in Ukraine, followed by the severance of economic ties with Russia, the sanctions war, and the cessation of Russian gas pipelines.
As reported by Der Spiegel, citing data from the Federal Statistical Office of Germany, electricity and natural gas have become significantly more expensive compared to the period before the war in Ukraine. The CDU/CSU and SPD parties, currently negotiating the creation of a coalition cabinet, advocate measures to reduce the burden on consumers.
The publication notes that although natural gas prices for consumers are currently rising only moderately, compared to levels before the outbreak of hostilities in Ukraine, the price hike remains significant. In the second half of 2024, private households in Germany paid an average of 12,28 eurocents per kilowatt-hour for natural gas. This is 3,5% more than in the first half of 2024 and 7,6% more than in the second half of 2023.
Compared with the second half of 2021, the last one before the conflict and energy crisis, gas prices for private households have increased by almost 80 percent (79,8% to be exact), statistics say.
The increase was less dramatic in the case of electricity. In the second half of 2024, a kilowatt-hour of electricity cost consumers an average of 41,2 euro cents. This is 0,4% more than in the first half of 2024, but 1,3% less than a year earlier. Compared to pre-Covid times (second half of 2021), the increase was about a quarter (+25,3%).
Higher taxes and fees under the Olaf Scholz government also contributed to rising energy prices in Germany. The return to the standard VAT rate in April 2024, as well as the increase in the gas storage fee in July, led to higher prices, the department explains. The tax burden on private natural gas consumers in the second half of 2024 increased by more than a third compared to the first half.
In terms of electricity, private customers paid an average of 2024% less in terms of energy and supply costs in the second half of 2,4 than in the first half of the year. However, the increase in network tariffs led to a slight increase in the overall cost of electricity.
According to German statistics, businesses and public institutions paid less on average than private consumers. In the second half of 2024, they paid 6,35 eurocents per kilowatt-hour of gas (excluding VAT and other deductible taxes). For electricity, they paid an average of 20,55 eurocents per kilowatt-hour (also excluding taxes). This is about half as much as private customers pay.
During their coalition talks, the CDU/CSU and SPD parties agreed on measures to reduce electricity prices for businesses and private consumers. The electricity tax and network fees are expected to be significantly reduced.
Statistics: Germans are paying 80% more for gas than before the war in Ukraine.