Inflation European Union 2019
Average inflation: 1.4%
Current Inflation
Inflation is low at 1.4%, below the ECB target of 2%.
Peak and Trough
The highest inflation was in April at 1.9%. The lowest inflation was in October at 1.0%.
- Highest month
- April: 1.9%
- Lowest month
- October: 1.0%
- Difference
- 0.9 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 around the 5-year average of 1.0%.
- 5-year average
- 1%
- 10-year average
- 1.4%
- All-time high (2000)
- 4%
- All-time low (2015)
- 0.1%
Trend
Inflation has remained relatively stable. Compared to 2018, the difference is minimal (-0.4 percentage point).
- Change vs. previous year
- -0.4 percentage points
- Largest monthly swing
- October: -1.3 percentage points
ECB Target
Inflation is 0.6% 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 €101.40 next year at this inflation rate.
Multi-year trend
Monthly figures 2019
Inflation by category
Inflation differs per product group. Click on a category for the historical trend.
Month overview
| Month | Inflation | Difference vs. 2018 |
|---|---|---|
| January | 1.4% | 0.0 |
| February | 1.6% | +0.4 |
| March | 1.6% | +0.2 |
| April | 1.9% | +0.6 |
| May | 1.5% | -0.5 |
| June | 1.5% | -0.5 |
| July | 1.3% | -0.9 |
| August | 1.3% | -0.8 |
| September | 1.1% | -1.0 |
| October | 1.0% | -1.3 |
| November | 1.3% | -0.6 |
| December | 1.6% | 0.0 |
| Average | 1.4% |
Data source
Data from OECD. Last updated: 17/12/2025.