Inflation France 1979
Average inflation: 10.6%
Current Inflation
Inflation is very high at 10.6%, far above the ECB target.
Peak and Trough
The highest inflation was in December at 11.8%. The lowest inflation was in April at 10.0%.
- Highest month
- December: 11.8%
- Lowest month
- April: 10.0%
- Difference
- 1.8 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 9.2%. The lowest price increase was in Food and non-alcoholic beverages with an average of 9.2%.
- Highest increase
- Food and non-alcoholic beverages: 9.2%
- Lowest increase
- Food and non-alcoholic beverages: 9.2%
Historical Context
Current inflation is around the 5-year average of 10.1%.
- 5-year average
- 10.1%
- 10-year average
- 8.8%
- All-time high (1974)
- 13.6%
- All-time low (1961)
- 2.4%
Trend
Inflation shows an upward trend. Compared to 1978, inflation has risen by +1.3 percentage point.
- Change vs. previous year
- +1.3 percentage points
- Largest monthly swing
- December: +2.1 percentage points
ECB Target
Inflation is 8.6% 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 €110.60 next year at this inflation rate.
Multi-year trend
Monthly figures 1979
Inflation by category
Inflation differs per product group. Click on a category for the historical trend.
Month overview
| Month | Inflation | Difference vs. 1978 |
|---|---|---|
| January | 10.2% | +1.0 |
| February | 10.1% | +0.9 |
| March | 10.1% | +0.9 |
| April | 10.0% | +1.0 |
| May | 10.1% | +1.1 |
| June | 10.2% | +1.2 |
| July | 10.3% | +1.0 |
| August | 10.8% | +1.4 |
| September | 11.0% | +1.8 |
| October | 11.3% | +2.0 |
| November | 11.5% | +2.0 |
| December | 11.8% | +2.1 |
| Average | 10.6% |
Data source
Data from OECD. Last updated: 20/12/2025.