Quiz for Czechs over 45: Do you remember how much socialism cost? People with a good memory can do it

Nostalgia often portrays the past quite differently than what the actual reality was. When we remember the prices of food and goods during the communist era, it may seem that life was somewhat more “affordable” at that time. Do you have any idea how much socialism cost?

Average wage

However, upon closer examination, we find that the reality was completely different. In 1989, the average monthly wage was approximately 3,170 CZK. Which is not a very high number from today’s point of view.

If we think about the fact that in 2023 the average monthly salary was approximately CZK 43,341, there is a huge difference in these figures.

Of course, financial prosperity has reached a completely different level over the decades. It should be noted that as the average monthly wage increased, so did the prices of food and goods in stores.

If we take daily expenses into account, do you have any idea how much socialism cost?

For example, you could buy ordinary butter for around 10 CZK for Socialima. Which is quite a big difference compared to today’s 50 CZK for a 250 g package. Nevertheless, we are much better off today than people were during totalitarianism.

Food prices

Considering the average wage, people in 1989 could buy about 318 packs of butter, while today the average salary could afford 707 packs of butter.

Were we really better off under socialism?

Source: Youtube

A kilogram of plain flour cost approximately 4.20 CZK during communism. This would correspond to CZK 54 today. However, the average price of flour at that time was around 22 CZK. If we take eggs, the price for one in 1989 was CZK 1.30.

This would correspond to approximately CZK 16 per egg today, but the average price of eggs in 2023 was around CZK 6–7 per egg. Again, this means that we can afford many more eggs today on an average salary than we could have bought before 1989.

We can also find a significant difference in foods such as apples, chocolate or coffee. A package of 100 g of coffee beans cost 24 CZK in 1989, which would correspond to approximately 310 CZK today. Chocolate was bought only for special occasions.

Food, the price of which is significantly more expensive today, is bread. It has risen in price by approximately 25% since the time of socialism.

If we take into account services such as hairdressing and entertainment, these were significantly cheaper during totality. However, they were limited by a somewhat limited offer.

Nostalgia is out of place. It is necessary to realize how the life of each of us has improved thanks to the development of technology and overall progress. The present offers us not only greater availability of food and goods, but also an unrivaled number of opportunities.