Germany’s Households Pay the Fifth-Highest Electricity Prices in the World, Study Finds
A recent analysis by the comparison portal Verivox and the energy service Global Petrol Prices, reported by the German magazine Der Spiegel, has revealed that German households pay the fifth-highest electricity prices in the world. According to the study, the average cost of electricity in Germany during the first quarter of 2025 was 38 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh). Only Bermuda, Denmark, Ireland and Belgium have higher prices.
Four years ago, Germany was at the top of the list, but despite a significant decrease in prices, the country still ranks as a high-cost area. In contrast, the global average price of electricity is less than half of Germany’s, at around 15 cents per kWh. Iran had the lowest price, at 0.35 cents per kWh, prior to the outbreak of the war with Israel.
However, the comparison is not entirely fair, as it does not take into account the different purchasing power of people in different countries. Adjusted for this factor, Germany ranks 22nd out of 143 countries. Verivox attributes the high prices in Germany mainly to increased network charges, taxes and surcharges. The German government has announced plans to make electricity at least five cents per kWh cheaper in the long term, with the aim of reducing the electricity tax and surcharges and capping network charges. Many households can also save money by switching to more affordable tariffs, with offers starting at 26 cents per kWh.