Inflation United Arab Emirates 2018
Average inflation: 3.1%
Current Inflation
Inflation is high at 3.1%, well above the ECB target.
Peak and Trough
The highest inflation was in January at 4.8%. The lowest inflation was in December at 0.3%.
- Highest month
- January: 4.8%
- Lowest month
- December: 0.3%
- Difference
- 4.5 percentage points
- Months with data
- 12 of 12
Category Insights
The highest price increase was in Food with an average of 3.5%. The lowest price increase was in Energy with an average of -3.1%.
- Highest increase
- Food: 3.5%
- Lowest increase
- Energy: -3.1%
Historical Context
Current inflation is around the 5-year average of 2.6%.
- 5-year average
- 2.6%
- 10-year average
- 1.8%
- All-time high (2015)
- 4.1%
- All-time low (2012)
- 0.7%
Trend
Inflation shows an upward trend. Compared to 2017, inflation has risen by +1.1 percentage point.
- Change vs. previous year
- +1.1 percentage points
- Largest monthly swing
- August: +3.1 percentage points
ECB Target
Inflation is 1.1% above the ECB target of 2.0%. This means purchasing power is declining faster than intended.
Purchasing Power
At this inflation rate, purchasing power noticeably decreases. Without a salary increase, you can buy less with the same money.
What you could buy for €100 this year will cost approximately €103.10 next year at this inflation rate.
Multi-year trend
Monthly figures 2018
Inflation by category
Inflation differs per product group. Click on a category for the historical trend.
Month overview
| Month | Inflation | Difference vs. 2017 |
|---|---|---|
| January | 4.8% | +2.5 |
| February | 4.5% | +1.8 |
| March | 3.4% | +0.4 |
| April | 3.5% | +1.3 |
| May | 3.5% | +1.6 |
| June | 3.3% | +1.3 |
| July | 3.8% | +2.6 |
| August | 3.9% | +3.1 |
| September | 3.1% | +2.0 |
| October | 1.6% | -0.5 |
| November | 1.3% | -0.4 |
| December | 0.3% | -2.4 |
| Average | 3.1% |
Data source
Data from WorldBank. Last updated: 06/01/2026.