Inflation Belgium 2022

Average inflation: 9.6%

Current Inflation

Inflation is very high at 9.6%, far above the ECB target.

Peak and Trough

The highest inflation was in October at 12.3%. The lowest inflation was in January at 7.6%.

Highest month
October: 12.3%
Lowest month
January: 7.6%
Difference
4.7 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 25.5%. The lowest price increase was in Communication with an average of 0.3%.

Highest increase
Housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels: 25.5%
Lowest increase
Communication: 0.3%

Historical Context

Current inflation is 6.3% higher than the 5-year average of 3.3%. This approaches the highest level since records began (9.6% in 2022).

5-year average
3.3%
10-year average
2.3%
All-time high (2022)
9.6%
All-time low (2009)
-0.1%

Trend

Inflation shows an upward trend. Compared to 2021, inflation has risen by +7.1 percentage point.

Change vs. previous year
+7.1 percentage points
Largest monthly swing
September: +8.4 percentage points

ECB Target

Inflation is 7.6% above the ECB target of 2.0%. This means purchasing power is declining faster than intended.

Purchasing Power

At this high inflation rate, purchasing power rapidly decreases. This has a major impact on households, especially without adequate salary increases.

What you could buy for €100 this year will cost approximately €109.60 next year at this inflation rate.

Multi-year trend

Monthly figures 2022

Inflation by category

Food and non-alcoholic beverages
8.8%
-0.8vs avg.
More details →
Alcoholic beverages, tobacco and narcotics
5.1%
-4.5vs avg.
More details →
Clothing and footwear
1.7%
-7.9vs avg.
More details →
Housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels
25.5%
+15.9vs avg.
More details →
Furnishings, household equipment and maintenance
4.5%
-5.1vs avg.
More details →
Health
1.5%
-8.1vs avg.
More details →
Transport
10.9%
+1.3vs avg.
More details →
Communication
0.3%
-9.3vs avg.
More details →
Recreation and culture
4.3%
-5.3vs avg.
More details →
Education
1.1%
-8.4vs avg.
More details →
Restaurants and hotels
6.3%
-3.3vs avg.
More details →
Miscellaneous goods and services
4.7%
-4.9vs avg.
More details →

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

Month overview

Month Inflation Difference vs. 2021
January 7.6% +7.3
February 8.0% +7.5
March 8.3% +7.4
April 8.3% +7.1
May 9.0% +7.5
June 9.6% +8.0
July 9.6% +7.3
August 9.9% +7.2
September 11.3% +8.4
October 12.3% +8.1
November 10.6% +5.0
December 10.4% +4.7
Average 9.6%

Data source

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

See also