Inflation Belgium 2018

Average inflation: 2.1%

Current Inflation

Inflation is normal at 2.1%, around the ECB target.

Peak and Trough

The highest inflation was in October at 2.8%. The lowest inflation was in March at 1.4%.

Highest month
October: 2.8%
Lowest month
March: 1.4%
Difference
1.4 percentage points
Months with data
12 of 12

Category Insights

The highest price increase was in Alcoholic beverages, tobacco and narcotics with an average of 3.8%. The lowest price increase was in Communication with an average of 0.0%.

Highest increase
Alcoholic beverages, tobacco and narcotics: 3.8%
Lowest increase
Communication: 0.0%

Historical Context

Current inflation is 0.7% higher than the 5-year average of 1.4%.

5-year average
1.4%
10-year average
1.7%
All-time high (2008)
4.5%
All-time low (2009)
-0.1%

Trend

Inflation has remained relatively stable. Compared to 2017, the difference is minimal (+0.0 percentage point).

Change vs. previous year
+0.0 percentage points
Largest monthly swing
February: -1.5 percentage points

ECB Target

Inflation is close to the ECB target of 2.0%.

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 €102.10 next year at this inflation rate.

Multi-year trend

Monthly figures 2018

Inflation by category

Food and non-alcoholic beverages
2.1%
+0.0vs avg.
More details →
Alcoholic beverages, tobacco and narcotics
3.8%
+1.7vs avg.
More details →
Clothing and footwear
0.4%
-1.7vs avg.
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Housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels
3.0%
+0.9vs avg.
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Furnishings, household equipment and maintenance
0.6%
-1.5vs avg.
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Health
0.9%
-1.2vs avg.
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Transport
3.1%
+1.0vs avg.
More details →
Communication
0.0%
-2.1vs avg.
More details →
Recreation and culture
1.4%
-0.7vs avg.
More details →
Education
1.6%
-0.5vs avg.
More details →
Restaurants and hotels
2.2%
+0.1vs avg.
More details →
Miscellaneous goods and services
1.5%
-0.6vs avg.
More details →

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

Month overview

Month Inflation Difference vs. 2017
January 1.7% -0.9
February 1.5% -1.5
March 1.4% -0.9
April 1.5% -0.8
May 1.8% -0.1
June 2.1% +0.5
July 2.2% +0.4
August 2.2% +0.3
September 2.3% +0.3
October 2.8% +0.8
November 2.8% +0.7
December 2.3% +0.2
Average 2.1%

Data source

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

See also