Inflation European Union 2020
Average inflation: 0.7%
Current Inflation
Inflation is very low at 0.7%, well below the ECB target.
Peak and Trough
The highest inflation was in January at 1.7%. The lowest inflation was in September at 0.2%.
- Highest month
- January: 1.7%
- Lowest month
- September: 0.2%
- Difference
- 1.5 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 2.6%. The lowest price increase was in Food and non-alcoholic beverages with an average of 2.6%.
- Highest increase
- Food and non-alcoholic beverages: 2.6%
- Lowest increase
- Food and non-alcoholic beverages: 2.6%
Historical Context
Current inflation is around the 5-year average of 1.1%.
- 5-year average
- 1.1%
- 10-year average
- 1.3%
- All-time high (2008)
- 3.7%
- All-time low (2015)
- 0.1%
Trend
Inflation shows a downward trend. Compared to 2019, inflation has fallen by +0.7 percentage point.
- Change vs. previous year
- -0.7 percentage points
- Largest monthly swing
- December: -1.4 percentage points
ECB Target
Inflation is 1.3% 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 €100.70 next year at this inflation rate.
Multi-year trend
Monthly figures 2020
Inflation by category
Inflation differs per product group. Click on a category for the historical trend.
Month overview
| Month | Inflation | Difference vs. 2019 |
|---|---|---|
| January | 1.7% | +0.3 |
| February | 1.6% | 0.0 |
| March | 1.1% | -0.5 |
| April | 0.6% | -1.3 |
| May | 0.5% | -1.0 |
| June | 0.7% | -0.8 |
| July | 0.8% | -0.5 |
| August | 0.4% | -0.9 |
| September | 0.2% | -0.9 |
| October | 0.2% | -0.8 |
| November | 0.2% | -1.1 |
| December | 0.2% | -1.4 |
| Average | 0.7% |
Data source
Data from OECD. Last updated: 17/12/2025.