Inflation France 1981
Average inflation: 13.3%
Current Inflation
Inflation is very high at 13.3%, far above the ECB target.
Peak and Trough
The highest inflation was in November at 14.3%. The lowest inflation was in March at 12.5%.
- Highest month
- November: 14.3%
- Lowest month
- March: 12.5%
- 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 14.0%. The lowest price increase was in Food and non-alcoholic beverages with an average of 14.0%.
- Highest increase
- Food and non-alcoholic beverages: 14.0%
- Lowest increase
- Food and non-alcoholic beverages: 14.0%
Historical Context
Current inflation is 2.1% higher than the 5-year average of 11.2%. This approaches the highest level since records began (13.6% in 1974).
- 5-year average
- 11.2%
- 10-year average
- 10.5%
- All-time high (1974)
- 13.6%
- All-time low (1966)
- 2.6%
Trend
Inflation shows an upward trend. Compared to 1980, inflation has risen by -0.2 percentage point.
- Change vs. previous year
- -0.2 percentage points
- Largest monthly swing
- April: -1.3 percentage points
ECB Target
Inflation is 11.3% 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 €113.30 next year at this inflation rate.
Multi-year trend
Monthly figures 1981
Inflation by category
Inflation differs per product group. Click on a category for the historical trend.
Month overview
| Month | Inflation | Difference vs. 1980 |
|---|---|---|
| January | 12.8% | -0.1 |
| February | 12.7% | -0.7 |
| March | 12.5% | -1.2 |
| April | 12.6% | -1.3 |
| May | 12.7% | -1.0 |
| June | 13.0% | -0.5 |
| July | 13.3% | -0.3 |
| August | 13.6% | 0.0 |
| September | 13.9% | +0.3 |
| October | 14.1% | +0.6 |
| November | 14.3% | +0.8 |
| December | 13.9% | +0.2 |
| Average | 13.3% |
Data source
Data from OECD. Last updated: 20/12/2025.