The fact that Finland is the most expensive place to live within the euro zone comes as no surprise to Finns. They have long laboured under high taxes and endured high prices for consumer goods.
A recent poll showed that 73 per cent of Finns believed the changeover to the euro increased prices. Finns had hoped their entry into the European Union and the adoption of the euro would offer some relief.
Indeed many say they voted for cheaper cars and cheaper beer. Neither has materialised. If anything, prices overall have risen. A beer now costs between €4 and €5 while cars invariably remain expensive. An average dinner for two with wine will set you back over €60.
Unlike neighbouring Sweden, Finland has no car industry, a sore point for many Finns. It does have Nokia, the telecommunications giant, and it still has the traditional strong forestry and steel industries.
High taxes are a way of life for many Finns. Food has always been expensive. Some blame the Centre Party politics of over two decades.
Ironically, as the country began its move into Europe, a reduction in food prices was occurring which now has seen prices rise again after the changeover.
Finns also have a tendency to shop in their own neighbourhood, which tends to be very expensive. The recent food and meat scares have seen Finns preferring to buy the more expensive Swedish meat than British.
It doesn't help that the country is also servicing a huge debt which rose from practically nothing a decade ago to nearly two-thirds of GNP during the country's severe economic crisis. Unemployment then rose to 22 per cent but now stands at 9 per cent.
An average worker pays around 35 per cent tax on his salary, but with hidden taxes on cars, and petrol, which has a 160 per cent tax, little wonder many workers feel robbed.
They are consoled by low taxes on houses and a generous welfare system, which places Finns ahead in many surveys when it comes to standard of living.