I saw this picture and wondered how petrol prices in Pakistan compare to what they are in rest of the world.
As I searched for an answer I realized that (a) ATP had done a post on the same question back in 2006 and (b) it was not very easy to find information on how petrol prices in different parts of the world compare.
So, I thought maybe I should ask readers what the prices of petrol are where they are. Are we in Pakistan paying too much, or too little, for petrol – in real terms and also in comparative cost of living terms? Odd as it may seem, while petrol prices are higher, they may still be cheaper in comparison to rise in world prices than many other places. But I need more data on this before I figure that out. Any answers?
Here in France gasoline is 1.5Euros / litre, which if converted to PKR is roughly 180. but I know my office cleaner earns total 1200euros a month, has three school going children, one big car for his annual tours across europe and one small car for him to come to office and he is living easily with own house, health care facilities and quality education and no daily commodity price hikes. Meaning people have the power of purchasing here, so much difference here and in our Pakistan.
It has reached around $4.21 a gallon in the U.S. Not sure what it is back home, but it should not be too far off.
$1.35 per liter in Toronto, Canada….. that is Pak Rs. 120
so Pakistan main gas is still less expensive…
I think the most important thing is how much is the buying power for that Petrol. It si still affordable in USA even if crosses $4/gallon but in Pakistan if you compare it with average income it is pretty high.
In US the lowest income is around S1500-2000/month where as in Pakistan it is Rs. 3000-4000. So in Pakistan a liter of petrol is around 2% of the net income of a person belonging to the lower income class.
Petrol is not cheap here in Pakistan i think
Here is the comparison chart showing Petrol prices for few countries:
http://www.kshitij.com/research/petrol.shtml
Its in terms of Indian rupee, and although does not looks accurate in absolute terms, but gives an overall idea about price variation. It seems India has high taxes on Petrol to subsidize other forms of Petroleum products. I am not sure about subsidy/tax percentages for Pakistan.
here in Sydney, Australia, its 1.45$ /liter. Which is roughly 133.27PKR . So its still cheaper in Pakistan.
Here in the TX, it is anywhere between $3.79 – 4.29 a gallon so that is about a little over a dollar a gallon. So prices are pretty much close to what Pakistanis pay. However, if I am correct, government subsidized oil in Pakistan. If it wasn’t subsidezed, Pakistanis may be paying higher.
BTW, I remember the days when petrol used to be Rs 5/liter and flour used to be 50 paisa a kilo. Good old happy days :)