Inflation Belgium 2008

Average inflation: 4.5%

Current Inflation

Inflation is high at 4.5%, well above the ECB target.

Peak and Trough

The highest inflation was in July at 5.9%. The lowest inflation was in December at 2.6%.

Highest month
July: 5.9%
Lowest month
December: 2.6%
Difference
3.3 percentage points
Months with data
12 of 12

Category Insights

The highest price increase was in Housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels with an average of 11.6%. The lowest price increase was in Communication with an average of -2.9%.

Highest increase
Housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels: 11.6%
Lowest increase
Communication: -2.9%

Historical Context

Current inflation is 1.9% higher than the 5-year average of 2.6%. This approaches the highest level since records began (4.5% in 2008).

5-year average
2.6%
10-year average
2.2%
All-time high (2008)
4.5%
All-time low (1998)
1%

Trend

Inflation shows an upward trend. Compared to 2007, inflation has risen by +2.7 percentage point.

Change vs. previous year
+2.7 percentage points
Largest monthly swing
June: +4.5 percentage points

ECB Target

Inflation is 2.5% 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 €104.50 next year at this inflation rate.

Multi-year trend

Monthly figures 2008

Inflation by category

Food and non-alcoholic beverages
6.1%
+1.6vs avg.
More details →
Alcoholic beverages, tobacco and narcotics
3.8%
-0.7vs avg.
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Clothing and footwear
1.0%
-3.5vs avg.
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Housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels
11.6%
+7.1vs avg.
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Furnishings, household equipment and maintenance
2.4%
-2.1vs avg.
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Health
-1.1%
-5.6vs avg.
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Transport
3.7%
-0.8vs avg.
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Communication
-2.9%
-7.4vs avg.
More details →
Recreation and culture
1.7%
-2.8vs avg.
More details →
Education
1.9%
-2.6vs avg.
More details →
Restaurants and hotels
4.0%
-0.5vs avg.
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Miscellaneous goods and services
2.6%
-1.9vs avg.
More details →

Inflation differs per product group. Click on a category for the historical trend.

Month overview

Month Inflation Difference vs. 2007
January 3.5% +1.8
February 3.6% +1.8
March 4.4% +2.6
April 4.2% +2.4
May 5.2% +3.9
June 5.8% +4.5
July 5.9% +4.5
August 5.4% +4.3
September 5.5% +4.0
October 4.7% +2.5
November 3.1% +0.2
December 2.6% -0.5
Average 4.5%

Data source

Data from OECD. Last updated: 11/01/2026.

See also