The Big Mac Index applied to streaming: what the cost of streaming reveals about purchasing power parity between countries and access to online subscriptions.
The retail price of the service converted to US dollars.
March 26, 2026 — Netflix raises US prices: Premium goes from $24.99 to $26.99. The 2nd increase in less than 2 years.
April 7, 2026 — A Rome court rules Netflix price hikes in Italy illegal. Netflix is appealing.
Netflix Premium offers identical content worldwide. Yet prices vary by a factor of 10.
A subscriber in Switzerland pays 10x more than a subscriber in Pakistan
Comparison of prices by country, converted to USD, relative to the US reference price. Use the GDP adjustment option to see prices adjusted for cost of living.
Overvalued Parity Undervalued
The absolute price doesn't tell the whole story. Relative to the local average wage, the disparities are even more striking.
A British person works 72 minutes to pay for Netflix Premium. Nigeria must work 6h34.
Based on average monthly net salary, 160 hours/month. Sources: OECD, World Bank.
What the Netflix Index reveals for British subscribers
+58% in 6 years(+67% with expected increases)
Share of Netflix Premium in the net monthly minimum wage
of the National Living Wage (1710 £)
A Netflix Premium subscription costs $37.85 in Switzerland vs $3.95 in Pakistan — a ratio of 10 for an identical service.
Among the 11 European countries studied that bill in euros, Bulgaria (€10.99) pays the least while Ireland (€23.99) pays the most. The eurozone is not uniform.
When adjusted for GDP per capita, Nigeria (adjusted index 8.93) becomes the country where Netflix is most "expensive" relative to purchasing power, while Luxembourg (0.55) is the cheapest.
With a raw index of 0.94, subscribers pay 6% less than Americans in absolute terms. But adjusted for GDP per capita (adjusted index 1.65), the relative budget weight is higher.
Even among the 11 countries billed in euros, Netflix charges very different prices.
From €10.99 in Bulgaria to €23.99 in Ireland — same currency, different prices.
Three perspectives to understand the disparities
Prices, exchange rates and indices for 40 countries
| Country | Local price | Currency | USD price | GDP/cap | Index | GDP-adj. | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
🇨🇭Switzerland | 29.90 | CHF | $37.85 | 105.7k | 1.40 | 1.13 | +$10.86 |
🇮🇪Ireland | 23.99 | EUR | $28.04 | 106.0k | 1.04 | 0.84 | +$1.05 |
🇺🇸United States | 26.99 | USD | $26.99 | 85.4k | 1.00 | 1.00 | $0.00 |
🇩🇰Denmark | 169.00 | DKK | $26.43 | 68.3k | 0.98 | 1.22 | -$0.56 |
🇫🇷France | 21.99 | EUR | $25.71 | 46.3k | 0.95 | 1.76 | -$1.28 |
🇧🇪Belgium | 21.99 | EUR | $25.71 | 55.1k | 0.95 | 1.48 | -$1.28 |
🇱🇺Luxembourg | 21.99 | EUR | $25.71 | 146.8k | 0.95 | 0.55 | -$1.28 |
🇬🇧United Kingdom | 18.99 | GBP | $25.48 | 48.9k | 0.94 | 1.65 | -$1.51 |
🇳🇱Netherlands | 20.99 | EUR | $24.54 | 63.8k | 0.91 | 1.22 | -$2.45 |
🇩🇪Germany | 19.99 | EUR | $23.37 | 54.3k | 0.87 | 1.36 | -$3.62 |
Data: April 2026. Netflix Premium prices. Current exchange rates. GDP per capita: IMF 2025.
Inspired by The Economist's Big Mac Index, published since 1986.
Netflix Premium price collected in local currency.
Converted to USD via current exchange rates: local price × rate = USD price.
USD price ÷ US price = raw index. Optional adjustment by GDP per capita.
Italy note: a Rome court ruled on April 7, 2026 that Netflix price hikes in Italy were illegal. Netflix is appealing. The €19.99 price remains in effect during proceedings.
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