The price of a domestic beer varies by a factor of 18x across the world. According to our cost of living data, a 0.5L draught costs $11.76 in Greenland but just $0.65 in Libya.
Data accurate as of January 2026.
Most Expensive Countries
Source: MyLifeElsewhere cost data
Cheapest Countries
Source: MyLifeElsewhere cost data
| # | Country | Price |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Libya | $0.65 |
| 2 | Eritrea | $0.80 |
| 3 | Iran | $0.80 |
| 4 | Madagascar | $0.82 |
| 5 | Zambia | $0.92 |
Why the Extremes?
Greenland's $11.76 beer reflects extreme import costs—according to government data, the territory imports over 90% of goods—plus steep alcohol taxes used as a public health measure. Iceland and Norway follow similar high-tax policies, while Gulf states like Qatar add Islamic restrictions that limit sales to licensed venues.
The low prices in Libya and Iran seem paradoxical since both prohibit alcohol—these prices reflect limited legal or black market sales without official taxation. Countries like Madagascar and Zambia have cheap beer for simpler reasons: local brewing and minimal taxes.
Beyond Beer: The Full Picture
Beer prices don't always match overall costs. Our full country rankings show Greenland has the priciest beer but isn't the most expensive overall—that distinction goes to other factors like rent and groceries. Use our comparison tool to see how Greenland vs Libya or Iceland vs the US differ across all categories.