Inflation Chile 1998

Average inflation: 5.1%

Current Inflation

Inflation is very high at 5.1%, far above the ECB target.

Peak and Trough

The highest inflation was in January at 6.2%. The lowest inflation was in October at 4.3%.

Highest month
January: 6.2%
Lowest month
October: 4.3%
Difference
1.9 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 0.6%. The lowest price increase was in Food and non-alcoholic beverages with an average of 0.6%.

Highest increase
Food and non-alcoholic beverages: 0.6%
Lowest increase
Food and non-alcoholic beverages: 0.6%

Historical Context

Current inflation is 2.6% lower than the 5-year average of 7.7%. This approaches the lowest level since records began (5.1% in 1998).

5-year average
7.7%
10-year average
13.1%
All-time high (1980)
35.5%
All-time low (1998)
5.1%

Trend

Inflation shows a downward trend. Compared to 1997, inflation has fallen by +1.0 percentage point.

Change vs. previous year
-1.0 percentage points
Largest monthly swing
October: -2.3 percentage points

ECB Target

Inflation is 3.1% 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 €105.10 next year at this inflation rate.

Multi-year trend

Monthly figures 1998

Inflation by category

Food and non-alcoholic beverages
0.6%
-4.5vs avg.
More details →

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

Month overview

Month Inflation Difference vs. 1997
January 6.2% -0.7
February 5.2% -2.0
March 5.3% -1.5
April 5.4% -0.7
May 5.3% -0.1
June 5.4% +0.1
July 5.3% -0.3
August 5.2% -0.4
September 4.8% -1.2
October 4.3% -2.3
November 4.3% -2.0
December 4.7% -1.3
Average 5.1%

Data source

Data from OECD. Last updated: 17/12/2025.

See also