Inflation European Union 2021
Average inflation: 2.9%
Current Inflation
Inflation is normal at 2.9%, around the ECB target.
Peak and Trough
The highest inflation was in December at 5.3%. The lowest inflation was in January at 1.2%.
- Highest month
- December: 5.3%
- Lowest month
- January: 1.2%
- Difference
- 4.1 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 1.6%. The lowest price increase was in Food and non-alcoholic beverages with an average of 1.6%.
- Highest increase
- Food and non-alcoholic beverages: 1.6%
- Lowest increase
- Food and non-alcoholic beverages: 1.6%
Historical Context
Current inflation is 1.2% higher than the 5-year average of 1.7%.
- 5-year average
- 1.7%
- 10-year average
- 1.3%
- All-time high (2008)
- 3.7%
- All-time low (2015)
- 0.1%
Trend
Inflation shows an upward trend. Compared to 2020, inflation has risen by +2.2 percentage point.
- Change vs. previous year
- +2.2 percentage points
- Largest monthly swing
- December: +5.1 percentage points
ECB Target
Inflation is 0.9% above the ECB target of 2.0%. This means purchasing power is declining faster than intended.
Purchasing Power
At this inflation rate, purchasing power noticeably decreases. Without a salary increase, you can buy less with the same money.
What you could buy for €100 this year will cost approximately €102.90 next year at this inflation rate.
Multi-year trend
Monthly figures 2021
Inflation by category
Inflation differs per product group. Click on a category for the historical trend.
Month overview
| Month | Inflation | Difference vs. 2020 |
|---|---|---|
| January | 1.2% | -0.5 |
| February | 1.3% | -0.3 |
| March | 1.7% | +0.6 |
| April | 2.0% | +1.4 |
| May | 2.3% | +1.8 |
| June | 2.2% | +1.5 |
| July | 2.5% | +1.7 |
| August | 3.2% | +2.8 |
| September | 3.6% | +3.4 |
| October | 4.4% | +4.2 |
| November | 5.2% | +5.0 |
| December | 5.3% | +5.1 |
| Average | 2.9% |
Data source
Data from OECD. Last updated: 17/12/2025.