Inflation European Union 2016
Average inflation: 0.2%
Current Inflation
Inflation is very low at 0.2%, well below the ECB target.
Peak and Trough
The highest inflation was in December at 1.1%. The lowest inflation was in April at -0.3%.
- Highest month
- December: 1.1%
- Lowest month
- April: -0.3%
- Difference
- 1.4 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 0.5%. The lowest price increase was in Food and non-alcoholic beverages with an average of 0.5%.
- Highest increase
- Food and non-alcoholic beverages: 0.5%
- Lowest increase
- Food and non-alcoholic beverages: 0.5%
Historical Context
Current inflation is 0.7% lower than the 5-year average of 0.9%.
- 5-year average
- 0.9%
- 10-year average
- 1.6%
- All-time high (2000)
- 4%
- All-time low (2015)
- 0.1%
Trend
Inflation has remained relatively stable. Compared to 2015, the difference is minimal (+0.1 percentage point).
- Change vs. previous year
- +0.1 percentage points
- Largest monthly swing
- December: +0.9 percentage points
ECB Target
Inflation is 1.8% 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 €100.20 next year at this inflation rate.
Multi-year trend
Monthly figures 2016
Inflation by category
Inflation differs per product group. Click on a category for the historical trend.
Month overview
| Month | Inflation | Difference vs. 2015 |
|---|---|---|
| January | 0.3% | +0.9 |
| February | -0.2% | +0.1 |
| March | -0.1% | 0.0 |
| April | -0.3% | -0.4 |
| May | -0.2% | -0.7 |
| June | 0.0% | -0.4 |
| July | 0.1% | -0.3 |
| August | 0.2% | -0.1 |
| September | 0.3% | +0.2 |
| October | 0.5% | +0.2 |
| November | 0.6% | +0.5 |
| December | 1.1% | +0.9 |
| Average | 0.2% |
Data source
Data from OECD. Last updated: 17/12/2025.