Inflation Canada 1981
Average inflation: 12.5%
Current Inflation
Inflation is very high at 12.5%, far above the ECB target.
Peak and Trough
The highest inflation was in July at 12.9%. The lowest inflation was in February at 12.1%.
- Highest month
- July: 12.9%
- Lowest month
- February: 12.1%
- Difference
- 0.8 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 12.1%. The lowest price increase was in Food and non-alcoholic beverages with an average of 12.1%.
- Highest increase
- Food and non-alcoholic beverages: 12.1%
- Lowest increase
- Food and non-alcoholic beverages: 12.1%
Historical Context
Current inflation is 2.8% higher than the 5-year average of 9.7%. This approaches the highest level since records began (12.5% in 1981).
- 5-year average
- 9.7%
- 10-year average
- 9.1%
- All-time high (1981)
- 12.5%
- All-time low (1962)
- 1.1%
Trend
Inflation shows an upward trend. Compared to 1980, inflation has risen by +2.4 percentage point.
- Change vs. previous year
- +2.4 percentage points
- Largest monthly swing
- March: +3.5 percentage points
ECB Target
Inflation is 10.5% 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 €112.50 next year at this inflation rate.
Multi-year trend
Monthly figures 1981
Inflation by category
Inflation differs per product group. Click on a category for the historical trend.
Month overview
| Month | Inflation | Difference vs. 1980 |
|---|---|---|
| January | 12.2% | +2.5 |
| February | 12.1% | +2.5 |
| March | 12.7% | +3.5 |
| April | 12.6% | +3.4 |
| May | 12.2% | +2.9 |
| June | 12.8% | +2.8 |
| July | 12.9% | +2.9 |
| August | 12.5% | +1.6 |
| September | 12.7% | +2.1 |
| October | 12.8% | +2.1 |
| November | 12.2% | +1.1 |
| December | 12.1% | +1.0 |
| Average | 12.5% |
Data source
Data from OECD. Last updated: 17/12/2025.