Inflation Belgium 2008
Average inflation: 4.5%
Inflation in 2008
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
Inflation is 1.9 percentage points 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
Over the period 2006-2008, inflation shows an upward trend. Compared to 2007, inflation has risen by 2.7 percentage points.
- Change vs. previous year
- +2.7 percentage points
- Largest monthly swing
- June: +4.5 percentage points
ECB Target
Inflation is 2.5 percentage points 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
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: 13/01/2026.