The cost of living in the Republic has remained stable and the State is only the 11th most expensive place to live in the European Union, according to research released yesterday. Japan, Norway, Switzerland, Denmark and Hong Kong are the most expensive places in the world, and Zimbabwe is at the bottom of the list.

The survey of 65 countries, published by the human resources consultancy ECA International, ranks the Republic unchanged from previous years as the 25th most expensive country in the world. Within the EU, only the Netherlands, Greece, Spain and Portugal are less expensive.

In contrast, Britain has become one of the most expensive countries to live in, at sixth on the EU list and 14th on the world table, the researchers said. In 1997, Britain was 21st on the list.

The data is based on a basket of more than 200 different goods and services. It does not include house prices or rental, which have grown significantly in the Republic in recent years.