Crude oil prices recently fell to their lowest level since December 2021, and motorists will hope the drop translates to lower prices at the petrol pump. Globally, the average cost of petrol per litre is $1.29 (98p), but prices vary wildly around the world, even on a weekly basis. Although there are several notable exceptions, petrol tends to be more expensive in affluent countries, where goods and services are charged at a premium and fuel incurs higher taxes.
With that in mind, read on to discover the average cost for a litre of petrol in 27 countries, ranging from the cheapest to the most expensive. Price data is from GlobalPetrolPrices.com and is correct as of 11 September.
All dollar amounts are in US dollars unless otherwise stated.
The price of petrol in Venezuela, which boasts the world's largest oil reserves, is set at a minuscule level per litre. This works out at a fraction of a US cent, making it one of the most affordable countries to fill up in by a long shot. Only Iran and Libya have (slightly) lower prices.
However, the country's massively subsidised fuel is reportedly in short supply and middlemen often add on hefty surcharges. Meanwhile, more easily obtainable "international" petrol is far more expensive. This means relatively few Venezuelans pay the rock-bottom price that the government fixes. In any case, petrol shortages, both in terms of subsidised and "international" fuel, have plagued the country for some time.
A major oil producer, Malaysia is one of the most budget-friendly places in the world to drive. The nation's government sets the price of premium unleaded petrol, and the cost of the commodity is kept super-low thanks to tax exemptions, generous subsidies, and strict price controls.
A maximum price was also set in stone in February 2021. This has insulated the nation's vehicle owners from the impact of geopolitical factors, including the war in Ukraine and OPEC price fixing.
The Russian government caps the cost of retail petrol, which only ever increases in line with inflation. That said, the price is up 4.9% year-on-year.
After grappling with domestic fuel shortages and higher wholesale prices for petrol and diesel, Moscow slapped a temporary ban on exports of the commodities in September last year. The block on diesel exports has been lifted, but the petrol export ban remains. However, Reuters recently reported that the diesel ban could be reimposed due to high demand from farmers during the harvesting season and oil refineries maintenance.
The UAE is a leading oil producer, and petrol costs relatively little in the Emirates. That said, before fuel prices were deregulated in 2015, it was even cheaper to fill up.
The move, which aims to reduce wastefulness and encourage the use of public transport, means the price at the pump is now linked to international oil prices. In 2023, it spiked in tandem with crude prices but has fallen by 16% in the past year.
As a wealthy country with low petrol prices, the US is something of an outlier. The pro-car nation can keep costs down because it's the world's biggest oil producer and applies minimal taxation to its fuel.
In recent years, American motorists have felt the sting of inflation at the pump, but typical petrol prices in the country are slowly falling, according to the American Automobile Association (AAA). The latest data reveals an almost 12% price drop over the past 12 months.
Petrol is cheaper in Australia than in many other well-off developed countries, primarily because taxes are comparatively light.
However, prices have been rising of late due to a number of factors, including the weak Aussie dollar. Data collated by the Australian Institute of Petroleum shows that the average price of unleaded petrol in the country reached an all-time high in October last year, and while it's since fallen back, costs at the pump remain elevated.
Fuel prices in China fluctuate based on global costs, although the government robustly regulates them. This makes for relatively cheap retail petrol prices, which generally remain stable.
Though petrol in mainland China is cheap, it's a totally different story in Hong Kong. Due to a number of factors, including punishing logistical costs and high taxes, fuel prices in the special administrative region are the most expensive in the world, coming in at the equivalent of $3.27 (£2.50) per litre.
Petrol prices in India are deregulated, though the government can exert control through the taxes it levies and via state-owned oil companies.
The average price per litre is low from a global point of view. The typical nationwide price has remained at more or less the same level for well over a year now, though prices fluctuate across the country.
The Indian government has managed to keep costs stable by importing cheap Russian oil in vast quantities despite facing extensive criticism from the West.
The retail cost of petrol in South Africa remains below the global average. However, the price has been snowballing over the past year, with the weak rand among the main drivers.
In recent weeks, motorists have been paying less as a series of monthly cuts have kicked in, largely thanks to the rand's recovery and lower international fuel prices.
Petrol prices in Japan are comparatively low by international standards but have hit new highs in recent years. To tackle this, the Japanese government reversed its plan to reduce subsidies, opting instead to expand them to stem the price surge.
The move is working, and prices have been steadily falling. In June, Japanese PM Fumio Kishida confirmed the subsidies would remain in place until the end of 2024 and could be extended beyond that date.
Petrol is more expensive in Mexico than in the US and Canada, which may come as a surprise given the typically lower cost of goods and services in the country.
The variance in price can be largely attributed to the widespread trade in illegal fuel (known as huachicoleo) and the fact that Mexico imports a significant chunk of its petrol.
Although Canada is a major oil producer, its motorists pay more to run their vehicles than their counterparts south of the border. The difference comes down to taxation, with government levies much higher in Canada than in the US.
Still, the typical price of petrol in the country has fallen of late, bringing relief to Canadian drivers hit by a spike in fuel costs earlier this year.
The good news for non-EV motorists in Austria is that the price of petrol is on the low side compared to some other Western European countries.
The bad news is that Austrian vehicle owners can expect to pay more when carbon pricing increases kick in. According to the Austrian Association of Drivers, this is expected to add around €7 ($7.43/£6.04) to the cost of filling up the typical tank.
The average price of petrol in Spain rose dramatically last year due to the increase in global crude prices. Fortunately, it's now starting to drop back, with prices down 13% from a peak in September last year.
Petrol remains more expensive in neighbouring France and Portugal, however, while prices for fuel in tax-free Andorra are markedly cheaper for obvious reasons.
Due to higher taxation, New Zealanders pay significantly more for petrol than Australian motorists.
Petrol prices in New Zealand rocketed last year when the then-government ended a subsidy on the fuel. The resulting hike was a key issue for voters in the country's October general election, in which the ruling Labour party was swept from power. Prices have fallen around 11% year-on-year, although the country remains susceptible to spikes and regional discrepancies.
The Belgian government sets a maximum price for petrol, meaning costs for motorists in the country are comparatively low. According to the latest update from GlobalPetrolPrices.com, the typical price of petrol per litre in the country is $1.74 (£1.33).
The International Energy Agency (IEA) has criticised Brussels for maintaining these price controls, which are absent in other Western European countries. The agency cites several disadvantages, including discouraging the adoption of greener fuels.
German motorists endured a sharp hike in the price of petrol last year as crude shot up in value, although the nation's leading motoring organisation claimed excessive pricing by petrol station operators was behind the rise.
Over the past year, the average price has fallen. However, non-EV vehicle owners in the country are bracing for increases. Like its Austrian counterpart, the German government is raising carbon taxes.
According to Worldometer, the UK is the 19th largest oil producer in the world, placing it ahead of countries like Colombia, Australia and Malaysia. Despite this, petrol prices are relatively steep and currently average $1.81 (£1.38) a litre.
Petrol and diesel pump prices recently fell to their lowest levels in almost three years. However, motorists are bracing for what could be the first rise in fuel duty for 14 years, with the new Labour government expected to roll back a 2022 5p cut and end the lengthy freeze. Retailers in the country have also been accused of failing to pass on savings to drivers.
The average cost per litre of petrol in France has fallen over the past year, but remains high by historical standards.
France's politicians are facing pressure to either cut fuel duty or provide motorists with a bonus, proposals supported by two-thirds of the French population according to a recent survey. The same poll noted that 57% of those surveyed believe current measures "do not improve the situation at all".
Norway may be a major oil producer, but petrol costs are exceedingly high in the country due to substantial road, carbon, and sales taxes, according to the Norwegian Automobile Federation.
Nevertheless, the average petrol price has been falling in the Scandinavian country, and is down almost 13% year-on-year. As an aside, Norway currently leads the world in EV adoption and more than 20% of passenger vehicles and 80% of new car sales in the country are electric.
Petrol prices in Ireland have been on the rise, surpassing those in the neighbouring UK, with the average cost per litre for the Irish motorist now a painful $1.94 (£1.48).
While the majority of countries around the world have seen a drop in prices over the past 12 months, the cost of filling a tank in the Emerald Isle remains stubbornly high. Meanwhile, the carbon tax on fuel is due to rise, leaving Ireland with the highest taxes and levies on petrol and diesel in the EU.
Stiff fuel taxes keep petrol prices high in Italy, too. While the cost of a litre of fuel has decreased over the past few weeks, it remains comparatively expensive at $1.95 (£1.49).
The Italian government's focus remains primarily on lowering labour taxes, meaning motorists may have to resign themselves to high prices going forward.
Petrol prices have long been on the excessive side in Denmark, though they have dropped back in recent weeks.
Motorists in the Nordic country face excessive costs. Not only are car prices and petrol expensive, road taxes are pricey too. Electric vehicle owners are also feeling the pinch as Denmark is one of the most expensive countries in the world to charge an EV.
The average price of a litre of petrol in Singapore has dropped slightly over the past few weeks. However, it's more than four times higher than in neighbouring Malaysia.
Singapore's high petrol prices can be attributed to several factors, including heavy fuel taxation and a steep cost of living. Moreover, the country is regarded as the most expensive in the world for drivers. Incredibly, Singaporeans now have to fork out $107,000 (£88k) for the right to own a car. That's the current typical cost of a Certificate of Entitlement (COE), which motorists are required to bid for before they make a purchase.
Excise duty on petrol is extremely high in the Netherlands, pushing up the typical price of a litre to stratospheric levels. Many Dutch motorists are choosing to fill up in neighbouring Belgium, where petrol costs are drastically lower.
Home to the EU's highest cost of living and with the fuel taxes to match, Switzerland is one of the world's most expensive countries for petrol.
Mirroring the situation in many countries around the world, petrol prices in Switzerland have fallen slightly of late, but on the whole remain punishingly high.
While petrol is pricier on average in China's special administrative region of Hong Kong, the most expensive country for the commodity is Iceland.
A combination of high costs for goods and services and surcharges that include special and general petrol taxes – not to mention a carbon levy and VAT – all serve to make fuel exceptionally pricey in the Nordic nation.
Reflecting the situation in the UK and some other nations, oil companies and fuel retailers in the country have attracted scrutiny from the Icelandic Competition Authority and the Association of Icelandic Car Owners for allegedly keeping prices artificially high.
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