Inflation France 1998

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 April at 1.0%. The lowest inflation was in November at 0.2%.

Highest month
April: 1.0%
Lowest month
November: 0.2%
Difference
0.8 percentage points
Months with data
12 of 12

Category Insights

The highest price increase was in Alcoholic beverages, tobacco and narcotics with an average of 2.1%. The lowest price increase was in Communication with an average of -4.0%.

Highest increase
Alcoholic beverages, tobacco and narcotics: 2.1%
Lowest increase
Communication: -4.0%

Historical Context

Current inflation is 0.8% lower than the 5-year average of 1.5%. This approaches the lowest level since records began (0.7% in 1998).

5-year average
1.5%
10-year average
2.2%
All-time high (1980)
13.5%
All-time low (1998)
0.7%

Trend

Inflation shows a downward trend. Compared to 1997, inflation has fallen by +0.5 percentage point.

Change vs. previous year
-0.5 percentage points
Largest monthly swing
January: -1.2 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 1998

Inflation by category

Food and non-alcoholic beverages
1.7%
+1.0vs avg.
More details →
Alcoholic beverages, tobacco and narcotics
2.1%
+1.4vs avg.
More details →
Clothing and footwear
-0.3%
-1.0vs avg.
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Housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels
0.6%
-0.1vs avg.
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Furnishings, household equipment and maintenance
0.6%
-0.1vs avg.
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Health
0.4%
-0.3vs avg.
More details →
Transport
-0.1%
-0.8vs avg.
More details →
Communication
-4.0%
-4.7vs avg.
More details →
Recreation and culture
-0.2%
-0.9vs avg.
More details →
Education
1.2%
+0.5vs avg.
More details →
Restaurants and hotels
1.7%
+1.0vs avg.
More details →
Miscellaneous goods and services
0.9%
+0.2vs avg.
More details →

Inflation differs per product group. Click on a category for the historical trend.

Month overview

Month Inflation Difference vs. 1997
January 0.6% -1.2
February 0.8% -0.8
March 0.9% -0.1
April 1.0% +0.1
May 0.9% 0.0
June 1.0% 0.0
July 0.8% -0.2
August 0.6% -0.9
September 0.4% -1.0
October 0.4% -0.6
November 0.2% -1.1
December 0.2% -0.9
Average 0.7%

Data source

Data from OECD. Last updated: 11/01/2026.

See also