Inflation China 2017

Average inflation: 1.6%

Current Inflation

Inflation is low at 1.6%, below the ECB target of 2%.

Peak and Trough

The highest inflation was in January at 2.5%. The lowest inflation was in February at 0.8%.

Highest month
January: 2.5%
Lowest month
February: 0.8%
Difference
1.7 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 around the 5-year average of 1.9%.

5-year average
1.9%
10-year average
2.6%
All-time high (2008)
5.9%
All-time low (1999)
-1.4%

Trend

Inflation has remained relatively stable. Compared to 2016, the difference is minimal (-0.4 percentage point).

Change vs. previous year
-0.4 percentage points
Largest monthly swing
February: -1.5 percentage points

ECB Target

Inflation is 0.4% 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 CN¥100 this year will cost approximately CN¥101.60 next year at this inflation rate.

Multi-year trend

Monthly figures 2017

Inflation by category

Food and non-alcoholic beverages
-0.6%
-2.2 vs avg.
More details →

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

Month overview

Month Inflation Difference vs. 2016
January 2.5% +0.7
February 0.8% -1.5
March 0.9% -1.4
April 1.2% -1.1
May 1.5% -0.5
June 1.5% -0.4
July 1.4% -0.4
August 1.8% +0.5
September 1.6% -0.3
October 1.9% -0.2
November 1.7% -0.6
December 1.8% -0.3
Average 1.6%

Data source

Data from OECD. Last updated: 19/12/2025.

See also