Inflation Canada 2023

Average inflation: 3.9%

Current Inflation

Inflation is high at 3.9%, well above the ECB target.

Peak and Trough

The highest inflation was in January at 5.9%. The lowest inflation was in June at 2.8%.

Highest month
January: 5.9%
Lowest month
June: 2.8%
Difference
3.1 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 7.9%. The lowest price increase was in Communication with an average of -6.4%.

Highest increase
Food and non-alcoholic beverages: 7.9%
Lowest increase
Communication: -6.4%

Historical Context

Current inflation is 0.6% higher than the 5-year average of 3.3%.

5-year average
3.3%
10-year average
2.5%
All-time high (2022)
6.8%
All-time low (2009)
0.3%

Trend

Inflation has remained relatively stable. Compared to 2022, the difference is minimal (-2.9 percentage point).

Change vs. previous year
-2.9 percentage points
Largest monthly swing
June: -5.3 percentage points

ECB Target

Inflation is 1.9% 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 €103.90 next year at this inflation rate.

Multi-year trend

Monthly figures 2023

Inflation by category

Food and non-alcoholic beverages
7.9%
+4.0vs avg.
More details →
Alcoholic beverages, tobacco and narcotics
4.9%
+1.0vs avg.
More details →
Clothing and footwear
1.0%
-2.9vs avg.
More details →
Housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels
6.3%
+2.4vs avg.
More details →
Furnishings, household equipment and maintenance
0.9%
-3.0vs avg.
More details →
Health
4.5%
+0.6vs avg.
More details →
Transport
0.3%
-3.6vs avg.
More details →
Communication
-6.4%
-10.3vs avg.
More details →
Recreation and culture
3.5%
-0.4vs avg.
More details →
Education
2.8%
-1.1vs avg.
More details →
Restaurants and hotels
6.4%
+2.5vs avg.
More details →
Miscellaneous goods and services
3.5%
-0.4vs avg.
More details →

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

Month overview

Month Inflation Difference vs. 2022
January 5.9% +0.8
February 5.2% -0.5
March 4.3% -2.4
April 4.4% -2.4
May 3.4% -4.3
June 2.8% -5.3
July 3.3% -4.3
August 4.0% -3.0
September 3.8% -3.1
October 3.1% -3.8
November 3.1% -3.7
December 3.4% -2.9
Average 3.9%

Data source

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

See also