The purchasing power of Croatians is less than half of the European Union average or 5,011 Euros, recent GfK research shows.

Croatia thus ranks 31st amongst a total of 42 European countries that were researched. Amongst European Union candidates it is placed third, behind Iceland and Turkey.

Compared to the last two years, Croatia has dropped several places, from 27th in 2007 and 29th in 2009.

Zagreb-residents have the highest purchasing power in the country or 6,507 Euros (30 per cent above average).

The European Union average is 12,774 Euros, news website Monitor writes.