Inflation European Union 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 February at 1.9%. The lowest inflation was in June at 1.3%.

Highest month
February: 1.9%
Lowest month
June: 1.3%
Difference
0.6 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 2.1%. The lowest price increase was in Food and non-alcoholic beverages with an average of 2.1%.

Highest increase
Food and non-alcoholic beverages: 2.1%
Lowest increase
Food and non-alcoholic beverages: 2.1%

Historical Context

Current inflation is 0.9% higher than the 5-year average of 0.7%.

5-year average
0.7%
10-year average
1.5%
All-time high (2000)
4%
All-time low (2015)
0.1%

Trend

Inflation shows an upward trend. Compared to 2016, inflation has risen by +1.4 percentage point.

Change vs. previous year
+1.4 percentage points
Largest monthly swing
February: +2.1 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 €100 this year will cost approximately €101.60 next year at this inflation rate.

Multi-year trend

Monthly figures 2017

Inflation by category

Food and non-alcoholic beverages
2.1%
+0.5vs avg.
More details →

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

Month overview

Month Inflation Difference vs. 2016
January 1.7% +1.4
February 1.9% +2.1
March 1.5% +1.6
April 1.8% +2.1
May 1.4% +1.6
June 1.3% +1.3
July 1.4% +1.3
August 1.6% +1.4
September 1.6% +1.3
October 1.5% +1.0
November 1.6% +1.0
December 1.4% +0.3
Average 1.6%

Data source

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

See also