Slon.ru, Russian online newspaper, compiled the "Ikea index", the relative cost of the 32 Ikea products basket across 28 countries. According to the newspaper, the index shows the cost of doing business in the given country. And guess what: Russia's Ikea products are some of the most expensive in the world.

Japan's Ikea product basket is the most expensive, at $3.921. Australia holds the second place with $3.885 for 32 products. Russian products cost $3.683. The least expensive Ikea is in the USA. The same products in one of the US Ikea stores would cost you only $2.476. Why such a difference? It is partially explained by the exchange rate (i.e. the currency in the most expensive countries is overvalued.)

But, fancy economics aside, the Ikea index confirms two simple facts. Fact one: it's prohibitively expensive to do business in Russia. (Think terrible logistics, high rent and sadistic tariff policies.) Fact two: God does not want the Russians to have good and inexpensive furniture.

Further readings: The Kafkian Ikea corruption case and the Russian State Police's plans to purchase $1 million worth of gilded furniture for their guest house.

Please share your experience of doing business in Russia and stay tuned for the online video round table with some of the experts who managed to do business in that country before retiring to their private islands in the Mediterranean.

The Most Expensive Ikea Products [Slon.ru (in Russian)]