Inflation Belgium 2021
Average inflation: 2.5%
Current Inflation
Inflation is normal at 2.5%, around the ECB target.
Peak and Trough
The highest inflation was in December at 5.7%. The lowest inflation was in January at 0.3%.
- Highest month
- December: 5.7%
- Lowest month
- January: 0.3%
- Difference
- 5.4 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 6.4%. The lowest price increase was in Health with an average of -0.7%.
- Highest increase
- Housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels: 6.4%
- Lowest increase
- Health: -0.7%
Historical Context
Current inflation is 0.7% higher than the 5-year average of 1.8%.
- 5-year average
- 1.8%
- 10-year average
- 1.6%
- All-time high (2008)
- 4.5%
- All-time low (2009)
- -0.1%
Trend
Inflation has remained relatively stable. Compared to 2020, the difference is minimal (+1.8 percentage point).
- Change vs. previous year
- +1.8 percentage points
- Largest monthly swing
- December: +5.3 percentage points
ECB Target
Inflation is 0.5% 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 €102.50 next year at this inflation rate.
Multi-year trend
Monthly figures 2021
Inflation by category
Inflation differs per product group. Click on a category for the historical trend.
Month overview
| Month | Inflation | Difference vs. 2020 |
|---|---|---|
| January | 0.3% | -1.1 |
| February | 0.5% | -0.6 |
| March | 0.9% | +0.3 |
| April | 1.2% | +0.6 |
| May | 1.5% | +1.0 |
| June | 1.6% | +1.0 |
| July | 2.3% | +1.6 |
| August | 2.7% | +1.9 |
| September | 2.9% | +2.0 |
| October | 4.2% | +3.5 |
| November | 5.6% | +5.1 |
| December | 5.7% | +5.3 |
| Average | 2.5% |
Data source
Data from OECD. Last updated: 11/01/2026.