Inflation Belgium 2023

Average inflation: 4.1%

Current Inflation

Inflation is high at 4.1%, well above the ECB target.

Peak and Trough

The highest inflation was in January at 8.0%. The lowest inflation was in October at 0.4%.

Highest month
January: 8.0%
Lowest month
October: 0.4%
Difference
7.6 percentage points
Months with data
12 of 12

Category Insights

The highest price increase was in Food and non-alcoholic beverages with an average of 13.7%. The lowest price increase was in Housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels with an average of -9.5%.

Highest increase
Food and non-alcoholic beverages: 13.7%
Lowest increase
Housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels: -9.5%

Historical Context

Current inflation is around the 5-year average of 3.7%.

5-year average
3.7%
10-year average
2.6%
All-time high (2022)
9.6%
All-time low (2009)
-0.1%

Trend

Inflation shows an upward trend. Compared to 2022, inflation has risen by -5.5 percentage point.

Change vs. previous year
-5.5 percentage points
Largest monthly swing
October: -11.9 percentage points

ECB Target

Inflation is 2.1% 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 €104.10 next year at this inflation rate.

Multi-year trend

Monthly figures 2023

Inflation by category

Food and non-alcoholic beverages
13.7%
+9.6vs avg.
More details →
Alcoholic beverages, tobacco and narcotics
7.3%
+3.2vs avg.
More details →
Clothing and footwear
6.7%
+2.6vs avg.
More details →
Housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels
-9.5%
-13.6vs avg.
More details →
Furnishings, household equipment and maintenance
5.7%
+1.6vs avg.
More details →
Health
3.3%
-0.8vs avg.
More details →
Transport
4.5%
+0.4vs avg.
More details →
Communication
1.9%
-2.1vs avg.
More details →
Recreation and culture
7.0%
+2.9vs avg.
More details →
Education
3.1%
-1.0vs avg.
More details →
Restaurants and hotels
9.3%
+5.2vs avg.
More details →
Miscellaneous goods and services
6.9%
+2.8vs avg.
More details →

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

Month overview

Month Inflation Difference vs. 2022
January 8.0% +0.4
February 6.6% -1.4
March 6.7% -1.6
April 5.6% -2.7
May 5.2% -3.8
June 4.2% -5.4
July 4.1% -5.5
August 4.1% -5.8
September 2.4% -8.9
October 0.4% -11.9
November 0.8% -9.8
December 1.4% -9.0
Average 4.1%

Data source

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

See also