Unexpected leader: 18 of the "cheapest" cities in the world

The Economist Intelligence Unit has published its annual report, which shows the cost of living in different countries around the world. To make a rating, the center analyzes a wide range of data - from food and fuel costs to wages. In general, wages are compared with prices for more than 150 products, including bread, wine, cigarettes and gasoline. The cost of living in each city is estimated in comparison with New York. He received an index of 100 points, and one additional score equates to an increase in the cost of living by 1%. This is the so-called world subsistence index (WCOL). Any city whose index is below 100 points has a cheaper cost of living compared to New York.

The list of the cheapest for living includes, mainly, cities in Africa and the Indian Peninsula, although there are also several European ones. We suggest that you familiarize yourself with cities whose world subsistence index is 51 points or lower.

Asuncion, Paraguay

The subsistence index of the capital of Paraguay is 51 points. This city is the second cheapest for living in South America. You will be cheaper only Caracas, with its hyperinflation and chaotic life.

Johannesburg, South Africa

Despite the fact that it is the center of one of the most developed countries in Africa, according to world standards, Johannesburg remains a cheap city with a subsistence index of 51 points. Life here has risen slightly in 2017, as in the past its world subsistence index was 50 points.

Kathmandu, Nepal

Located in the depths of the Himalayas, Kathmandu is struggling to recover from the devastating earthquake of 7.8 points, which actually razed it to the ground in 2015. The result of the earthquake was also a decrease in the relative cost of living in the city, although its residents are unlikely to benefit from this, as many lost their homes along with all property.

Tehran, Iran

Life in the capital of Iran Tehran in the past few years is becoming more expensive. In 2011, the Economist Intelligence Unit called it the fourth cheapest city in the world.

Damascus, Syria

Life in a war-torn city for obvious reasons has a very low cost. Geopolitical instability and five years of war have led to the destruction of most of the country.

Caracas, Venezuela

The economy of Venezuela is one of the most dysfunctional in the world, and hyperinflation sows panic among the population of the country. Assessing goods is incredibly difficult, while many of them, even the most basic (like personal hygiene items), are often in short supply.

Lusaka, Zambia

This city was the cheapest in the world in 2016, but in just one year it climbed 11 places on the EIU list.

Pretoria, South Africa

This is the second major African city, the cost of living in which can be determined separately from the surrounding region. Here, the lowest prices in the world for rental housing.

Kiev, Ukraine

Kiev faced with well-known to the whole world problems of economics, politics, security and infrastructure, they say in EIU. This affected the decline in the cost of living in the Ukrainian capital, although local residents do not feel it.

Bucharest, Romania

The cost of everyday goods in the capital of Romania is quite low, despite the fact that the country is part of the European Union. On average, a kilo loaf of bread costs $ 1.64. Last year, the same goods could not be bought at a price below $ 1.73.

New Delhi, India

Although this city in South Asia traditionally takes its place among the top ten cheapest, but is no longer the leader of this list.

Algeria, Algeria

According to EIU, Algeria is one of the cities that, like Kiev, faced stability problems that led to a decline in the cost of living. He scored 45 points on the WCOL index.

Chennai, India

Chennai took this place in the list last year and, as we see, is not going to surrender its positions. This is one of the three Indian cities that hit the top six in the world.

Mumbai, India

Despite its status as a noisy metropolis, the cost of living in Mumbai is incredibly low. For example, an average loaf of bread here will cost no more than $ 1. Only two cities on the list can boast lower prices.

Karachi, Pakistan

Food, transportation and entertainment in Karachi (the main photo of the article) is relatively cheap. The cost of housing here is also very low, but this cheapness, primarily due to the high level of crime.

Bangalore, India

The Indian peninsula is the place where the world's cheapest cities are assembled. Bangalore, who took third place in the list of the cheapest, did not escape this fate.

Lagos, Nigeria

The relative cost of living in Lagos has more than halved since 2008, which may signal a renewed interest on the part of foreign investors. Compared with international standards, the price level in this African city is unusually low.

Almaty, Kazakhstan

Despite the status of the cheapest city in the world, Almaty residents themselves may not feel that the cost of living in their city is getting lower. Even with attempts to control prices, in 2016 inflation in the city approached 20%.