Inflation France 2018

Average inflation: 1.8%

Current Inflation

Inflation is low at 1.8%, below the ECB target of 2%.

Peak and Trough

The highest inflation was in July at 2.3%. The lowest inflation was in February at 1.2%.

Highest month
July: 2.3%
Lowest month
February: 1.2%
Difference
1.1 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 7.6%. The lowest price increase was in Communication with an average of -2.0%.

Highest increase
Alcoholic beverages, tobacco and narcotics: 7.6%
Lowest increase
Communication: -2.0%

Historical Context

Current inflation is 1.1% higher than the 5-year average of 0.7%.

5-year average
0.7%
10-year average
1%
All-time high (2008)
2.8%
All-time low (2015)
0%

Trend

Inflation shows an upward trend. Compared to 2017, inflation has risen by +0.8 percentage point.

Change vs. previous year
+0.8 percentage points
Largest monthly swing
July: +1.6 percentage points

ECB Target

Inflation is close to the ECB target of 2.0%.

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 €101.80 next year at this inflation rate.

Multi-year trend

Monthly figures 2018

Inflation by category

Food and non-alcoholic beverages
2.0%
+0.2vs avg.
More details →
Alcoholic beverages, tobacco and narcotics
7.6%
+5.8vs avg.
More details →
Clothing and footwear
0.2%
-1.6vs avg.
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Housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels
2.4%
+0.6vs avg.
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Furnishings, household equipment and maintenance
0.2%
-1.6vs avg.
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Health
-0.4%
-2.2vs avg.
More details →
Transport
4.2%
+2.4vs avg.
More details →
Communication
-2.0%
-3.8vs avg.
More details →
Recreation and culture
0.8%
-1.0vs avg.
More details →
Education
1.0%
-0.8vs avg.
More details →
Restaurants and hotels
2.1%
+0.3vs avg.
More details →
Miscellaneous goods and services
1.1%
-0.7vs avg.
More details →

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

Month overview

Month Inflation Difference vs. 2017
January 1.3% 0.0
February 1.2% 0.0
March 1.6% +0.5
April 1.6% +0.4
May 2.0% +1.2
June 2.0% +1.3
July 2.3% +1.6
August 2.3% +1.4
September 2.2% +1.2
October 2.2% +1.1
November 1.9% +0.7
December 1.6% +0.4
Average 1.8%

Data source

Data from OECD. Last updated: 13/01/2026.

See also