Evaluation des differences de prix entre la Suisse et les pays de la CE

There are important price differences between Switzerland and EC countries in the examined product groups with the exception of cars, motorcycles and bicycles. The price differences are smaller within the EC than between EC and non member countries, confirming the assumption that economic integration leads to the convergence of national price levels. However, when comparing the eight countries under consideration, one notices that Italy rather than Switzerland comes last Being a member of the EC is therefore not synonymous with price convergence; other explanations have also to be taken into account.