Across Scandinavia, the average price of everything from a knitted roll neck to pastries from the local bakery are some of the highest in the world.

整個斯堪地那維亞地區，從高圓翻領針織衣到當地麵包店的糕點，每樣東西的物價，都是全世界前幾高的。

Scandinavia is a region in northern Europe that was historically made up of three kingdoms.

斯堪地那維亞是位於北歐的一個半島，歷史上是由三個國家組成。

Norway, Sweden, and Denmark.

挪威、瑞典，與丹麥。

They're united by their Viking heritage but also their shared reputation as one of the most expensive regions to live and visit.

此三個國家不僅皆為維京人所統合，它們還享有共同的名譽：即世界上物價最高的地區。

Whether it's buying a car or a TV, consumers in Scandinavia pay some of the highest prices in the world.

不論是買車子或電視，斯堪地那維亞消費者的花費是全世界前幾高的。

Even buying groceries is costly with all three countries' food and drink prices above the European average.

甚至雜貨類也是，這三國的飲食物價高於歐洲平均。

All three countries also have a standard VAT rate of 25%.

但它們皆有百分之二十五的標準增值稅率。

Amongst all the European nations, only Hungary has a higher rate.

放眼所有歐洲國家，只有匈牙利的增值稅高於北歐三國。

Heading to the bar is also pretty pricey.

酒吧的消費金額也頗為驚人。

In Norway, having a beer or glass of wine will cost 2.5 times the EU average.

在挪威，一杯啤酒或葡萄酒的價格，平均是歐盟國家的 2.5 倍。

Both Norway and Sweden have state-run monopolies on alcohol which helps keep the prices up.

挪威和瑞典都實施酒精國家專賣，以至於價格居高不下。

This social market model, rather than a liberal market model like in the U.S., is common across Scandinavia and helps explain why the cost of living is so high.

這種和美國自由市場不同的社會市場模式，在斯堪地那維亞地區相當常見，也解釋了為何生活費用如此高。

Scandinavian countries have large welfare states with their social expenditures.

斯堪地那維亞國家擁有大規模的福利制度與社會支出。

As a percentage of GDP, among the highest in the world and this requires high levels of taxation.

其國內生產毛額之百分比，位居世界前幾名，此需要大筆的課稅才得以達成。

Sweden has a top rate of personal income tax of over 60%.

瑞典擁有高達 60% 的個人所得稅，為世界之冠。

While Denmark's is more than 55%, both of which are well above the OECD average.

丹麥則超過 55%，兩者皆遠超於經合組織的平均。

In Denmark, if you want to buy a car.

在丹麥，若要購車。

You have to pay anywhere between 85% and 150% tax on top of the cost of the vehicle.

除了汽車本身的價格外，還另加 85% 到 150% 的稅。

And the taxes don't stop there.

然而，這還不是全部的稅收。

Let's say I want to buy a sweater in Denmark.

如果我要在丹麥買一件毛衣。

I pay 300 kronor for it, but how much of that money actually goes to the vendor?

我付了 300 克郎，但賣家實際獲利多少？

Well, first there's the 25% VAT - leaving the seller with 240 kronor.

首先，扣掉 25% 的增值稅，所以剩下 240 克郎。

The clothes shop also has to pay a minimum 22% of corporate income tax.

接著店家須付最少 22% 的公司所得稅。

That means that a big portion of the money I paid for my sweater goes to the Danish government.

意味著購買毛衣的錢，有一大部分需上繳丹麥政府。

Not to mention there's a hefty payroll tax on employees' wages.

更別提苛刻的員工薪資稅。

And the store still has to pay for rent, electricity, and cleaning - all of which are taxed, too.

店家還須負擔房租、電費、清潔費 -- 這些也都要課稅！

These taxes mean that for Scandinavian businesses to make a profit, they need to charge their consumers high prices.

在被徵收這些稅的情況下，為了獲利，斯堪地那維亞的店家必須提高售價。

For some companies, this has proved too much of a burden for their business model.

這對某些公司的經營模式造成很大的負擔。

The world's biggest furniture company IKEA was founded in Sweden but has moved its headquarters to the Netherlands.

全球最大、發源於瑞典的家具公司 IKEA 已將總部遷移至荷蘭。

Through corporate restructuring, the business is now owned by a non-profit Dutch parent company.

歷經重整後，目前公司由一家非營利的荷蘭母公司接管。

In part due to the high taxes in Sweden.

某種程度上是因為瑞典高稅收的緣故。

But according to some experts, Scandinavia's social democrat tendencies have led to a strong social cohesion and has helped provide political stability.

然而，某些專家指出，斯堪地那維亞的社會民主主義團體帶起了強力的社會凝聚力風向，並協助維持政治的穩定度。

This, in turn, has made their economies safe havens for outside investors.

此現象為外來的投者者提供經濟上的避風港。

Which is one reason why the Danish, Swedish and Norwegian currencies called krona are so strong.

這是克郎 (即丹麥、瑞典，與挪威幣) 之所以如此強盛的原因之一。

This can be tough on tourists with the exchange rate doing them no favors.

對觀光客來說，外幣匯率實在一點都不友善。

If the cost of living in Scandinavia is so expensive.

既然斯堪地那維亞的生活費用如此之高。

Why then are its citizens some of the happiest in the world?

為何其國民的快樂指數為全世界數一數二高？

In the past five years, Scandinavian countries have regularly topped the World Happiness Report.

在過去五年，斯堪地那維亞的國家常常位居全球幸福報告名單的前幾名。

That's an index that measures overall life satisfaction based on different contributing factors.

此報告指數是根據整體生活的滿意度，以及其他因素而來。

Some experts attribute these high satisfaction levels with Scandinavia's large welfare state which they say ensures financial security, job security, and economic distribution.

某些專家將高滿意度歸因於國家大規模的福利制度，其確保了經濟安全、工作安全，與經濟分配。

In return for high taxes, citizens get free state education, very cheap child care, a functioning public transport and a free health service.

高稅賦的回報是，國民得以受免費的國家教育、享受低廉的幼兒看護費、大眾交通運輸費，以及免費的醫療服務。

But a large and expensive social welfare state doesn't necessarily mean the best.

可是，大規模且昂貴的福利制度不一定是最好的。

For example, Norway is the only Scandinavian country that ranks in the top 10 for adult education levels, amongst OECD countries.

舉例來說，挪威是斯堪地那維亞國家中，在成人教育程度排名中唯一列入前十名的，其他都是經合組織的成員國。

And yet Scandinavians remain happy with the status quo.

即便如此，斯堪地那維亞人民仍對現狀感到滿意。

Living within a social corporatist economy that provides reliable economic welfare.

即身處社會社團主義經濟提供的可靠經濟福利制度。

Having a beer at the end of the day does cost a small fortune, but for people living and working in Scandinavia, high prices provide a quality of life that's worth paying for.

忙碌一整天後，享受一杯啤酒或許需要花一小筆錢，但對於居住，及工作在斯堪地那維亞地區的人民來說，高物價提供的是相對應的生活品質。

Hi guys, thanks very much for watching.

嗨大家！非常感謝你們的收看。

If you'd like to see any more of our Explainers, then check out these.

想看更多 Explainers 系列，看看這些影片吧！

Otherwise, feel free to comment below the video for any future videos you'd like us to make.

也可以在影片下留言你想要我們做的主題。

And don't forget to like and subscribe.

另外，別忘了按讚加訂閱！

Tak for watching!

謝謝收看！