Inflation European Union 2018
Average inflation: 1.8%
Current Inflation
Inflation is low at 1.8%, below the ECB target of 2%.
Peak and Trough
The highest inflation was in October at 2.3%. The lowest inflation was in February at 1.2%.
- Highest month
- October: 2.3%
- Lowest month
- February: 1.2%
- Difference
- 1.1 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 1.9%. The lowest price increase was in Food and non-alcoholic beverages with an average of 1.9%.
- Highest increase
- Food and non-alcoholic beverages: 1.9%
- Lowest increase
- Food and non-alcoholic beverages: 1.9%
Historical Context
Current inflation is 1.0% higher than the 5-year average of 0.8%.
- 5-year average
- 0.8%
- 10-year average
- 1.4%
- All-time high (2000)
- 4%
- All-time low (2015)
- 0.1%
Trend
Inflation shows an upward trend. Compared to 2017, inflation has risen by +0.2 percentage point.
- Change vs. previous year
- +0.2 percentage points
- Largest monthly swing
- July: +0.8 percentage points
ECB Target
Inflation is close to the ECB target of 2.0%.
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 €101.80 next year at this inflation rate.
Multi-year trend
Monthly figures 2018
Inflation by category
Inflation differs per product group. Click on a category for the historical trend.
Month overview
| Month | Inflation | Difference vs. 2017 |
|---|---|---|
| January | 1.4% | -0.3 |
| February | 1.2% | -0.7 |
| March | 1.4% | -0.1 |
| April | 1.3% | -0.5 |
| May | 2.0% | +0.6 |
| June | 2.0% | +0.7 |
| July | 2.2% | +0.8 |
| August | 2.1% | +0.5 |
| September | 2.1% | +0.5 |
| October | 2.3% | +0.8 |
| November | 1.9% | +0.3 |
| December | 1.6% | +0.2 |
| Average | 1.8% |
Data source
Data from OECD. Last updated: 17/12/2025.