Inflation Canada 2020

Average inflation: 0.7%

Current Inflation

Inflation is very low at 0.7%, well below the ECB target.

Peak and Trough

The highest inflation was in January at 2.4%. The lowest inflation was in May at -0.4%.

Highest month
January: 2.4%
Lowest month
May: -0.4%
Difference
2.8 percentage points
Months with data
12 of 12

Category Insights

The highest price increase was in Miscellaneous goods and services with an average of 3.7%. The lowest price increase was in Communication with an average of -5.7%.

Highest increase
Miscellaneous goods and services: 3.7%
Lowest increase
Communication: -5.7%

Historical Context

Current inflation is 0.9% lower than the 5-year average of 1.6%.

5-year average
1.6%
10-year average
1.6%
All-time high (2011)
2.9%
All-time low (2009)
0.3%

Trend

Inflation shows a downward trend. Compared to 2019, inflation has fallen by +1.2 percentage point.

Change vs. previous year
-1.2 percentage points
Largest monthly swing
May: -2.8 percentage points

ECB Target

Inflation is 1.3% below the ECB target of 2.0%. Too low inflation may indicate economic weakness.

Purchasing Power

At this inflation rate, purchasing power gradually decreases. The impact on daily expenses is relatively limited.

What you could buy for €100 this year will cost approximately €100.70 next year at this inflation rate.

Multi-year trend

Monthly figures 2020

Inflation by category

Food and non-alcoholic beverages
2.4%
+1.7vs avg.
More details →
Alcoholic beverages, tobacco and narcotics
0.1%
-0.6vs avg.
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Clothing and footwear
-1.8%
-2.5vs avg.
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Housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels
1.5%
+0.8vs avg.
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Furnishings, household equipment and maintenance
1.9%
+1.2vs avg.
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Health
1.5%
+0.8vs avg.
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Transport
-1.5%
-2.2vs avg.
More details →
Communication
-5.7%
-6.4vs avg.
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Recreation and culture
2.3%
+1.6vs avg.
More details →
Education
-1.6%
-2.3vs avg.
More details →
Restaurants and hotels
-0.6%
-1.3vs avg.
More details →
Miscellaneous goods and services
3.7%
+3.0vs avg.
More details →

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

Month overview

Month Inflation Difference vs. 2019
January 2.4% +1.0
February 2.2% +0.7
March 0.9% -1.0
April -0.2% -2.2
May -0.4% -2.8
June 0.7% -1.3
July 0.1% -1.9
August 0.1% -1.8
September 0.5% -1.4
October 0.7% -1.2
November 1.0% -1.2
December 0.7% -1.5
Average 0.7%

Data source

Data from OECD. Last updated: 13/01/2026.

See also