Inflation Germany 2021
Average inflation: 3.1%
Current Inflation
Inflation is high at 3.1%, well above the ECB target.
Peak and Trough
The highest inflation was in December at 4.9%. The lowest inflation was in January at 1.2%.
- Highest month
- December: 4.9%
- Lowest month
- January: 1.2%
- Difference
- 3.7 percentage points
- Months with data
- 12 of 12
Category Insights
The highest price increase was in Transport with an average of 7.7%. The lowest price increase was in Communication with an average of -0.6%.
- Highest increase
- Transport: 7.7%
- Lowest increase
- Communication: -0.6%
Historical Context
Current inflation is 1.5% higher than the 5-year average of 1.6%. This approaches the highest level since records began (3.1% in 2021).
- 5-year average
- 1.6%
- 10-year average
- 1.3%
- All-time high (2021)
- 3.1%
- All-time low (2020)
- 0.2%
Trend
Inflation shows an upward trend. Compared to 2020, inflation has risen by +2.9 percentage point.
- Change vs. previous year
- +2.9 percentage points
- Largest monthly swing
- December: +5.5 percentage points
ECB Target
Inflation is 1.1% 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 €103.10 next year at this inflation rate.
Multi-year trend
Monthly figures 2021
Inflation by category
Inflation differs per product group. Click on a category for the historical trend.
Month overview
| Month | Inflation | Difference vs. 2020 |
|---|---|---|
| January | 1.2% | -0.5 |
| February | 1.5% | -0.2 |
| March | 1.8% | +0.3 |
| April | 2.0% | +1.4 |
| May | 2.2% | +1.8 |
| June | 2.4% | +2.2 |
| July | 3.7% | +4.7 |
| August | 3.8% | +4.7 |
| September | 4.1% | +5.0 |
| October | 4.4% | +5.1 |
| November | 4.8% | +5.0 |
| December | 4.9% | +5.5 |
| Average | 3.1% |
Data source
Data from OECD. Last updated: 11/01/2026.