Inflation France 1978
Average inflation: 9.3%
Current Inflation
Inflation is very high at 9.3%, far above the ECB target.
Peak and Trough
The highest inflation was in December at 9.7%. The lowest inflation was in April at 9.0%.
- Highest month
- December: 9.7%
- Lowest month
- April: 9.0%
- Difference
- 0.7 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 9.1%. The lowest price increase was in Food and non-alcoholic beverages with an average of 9.1%.
- Highest increase
- Food and non-alcoholic beverages: 9.1%
- Lowest increase
- Food and non-alcoholic beverages: 9.1%
Historical Context
Current inflation is 1.4% lower than the 5-year average of 10.7%.
- 5-year average
- 10.7%
- 10-year average
- 8.4%
- All-time high (1974)
- 13.6%
- All-time low (1961)
- 2.4%
Trend
Inflation has remained relatively stable. Compared to 1977, the difference is minimal (-0.2 percentage point).
- Change vs. previous year
- -0.2 percentage points
- Largest monthly swing
- June: -1.2 percentage points
ECB Target
Inflation is 7.3% above the ECB target of 2.0%. This means purchasing power is declining faster than intended.
Purchasing Power
At this high inflation rate, purchasing power rapidly decreases. This has a major impact on households, especially without adequate salary increases.
What you could buy for €100 this year will cost approximately €109.30 next year at this inflation rate.
Multi-year trend
Monthly figures 1978
Inflation by category
Inflation differs per product group. Click on a category for the historical trend.
Month overview
| Month | Inflation | Difference vs. 1977 |
|---|---|---|
| January | 9.2% | +0.2 |
| February | 9.2% | +0.2 |
| March | 9.2% | +0.1 |
| April | 9.0% | -0.5 |
| May | 9.0% | -0.8 |
| June | 9.0% | -1.2 |
| July | 9.3% | -0.8 |
| August | 9.4% | -0.5 |
| September | 9.2% | -0.5 |
| October | 9.3% | -0.2 |
| November | 9.5% | +0.4 |
| December | 9.7% | +0.7 |
| Average | 9.3% |
Data source
Data from OECD. Last updated: 20/12/2025.