Inflation France 2021

Average inflation: 1.7%

Current Inflation

Inflation is low at 1.7%, below the ECB target of 2%.

Peak and Trough

The highest inflation was in November at 2.8%. The lowest inflation was in January at 0.6%.

Highest month
November: 2.8%
Lowest month
January: 0.6%
Difference
2.2 percentage points
Months with data
12 of 12

Category Insights

The highest price increase was in Transport with an average of 4.5%. The lowest price increase was in Health with an average of -1.5%.

Highest increase
Transport: 4.5%
Lowest increase
Health: -1.5%

Historical Context

Current inflation is around the 5-year average of 1.2%.

5-year average
1.2%
10-year average
1%
All-time high (2008)
2.8%
All-time low (2015)
0%

Trend

Inflation has remained relatively stable. Compared to 2020, the difference is minimal (+1.2 percentage point).

Change vs. previous year
+1.2 percentage points
Largest monthly swing
December: +2.8 percentage points

ECB Target

Inflation is 0.3% 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 €101.70 next year at this inflation rate.

Multi-year trend

Monthly figures 2021

Inflation by category

Food and non-alcoholic beverages
0.6%
-1.1vs avg.
More details →
Alcoholic beverages, tobacco and narcotics
3.4%
+1.7vs avg.
More details →
Clothing and footwear
0.2%
-1.5vs avg.
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Housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels
3.7%
+2.0vs avg.
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Furnishings, household equipment and maintenance
1.4%
-0.3vs avg.
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Health
-1.5%
-3.2vs avg.
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Transport
4.5%
+2.8vs avg.
More details →
Communication
2.1%
+0.4vs avg.
More details →
Recreation and culture
1.1%
-0.6vs avg.
More details →
Education
2.2%
+0.5vs avg.
More details →
Restaurants and hotels
0.8%
-0.9vs avg.
More details →
Miscellaneous goods and services
1.1%
-0.6vs avg.
More details →

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

Month overview

Month Inflation Difference vs. 2020
January 0.6% -0.9
February 0.6% -0.8
March 1.1% +0.4
April 1.2% +0.9
May 1.4% +1.0
June 1.5% +1.3
July 1.2% +0.4
August 1.9% +1.7
September 2.2% +2.2
October 2.6% +2.6
November 2.8% +2.6
December 2.8% +2.8
Average 1.7%

Data source

Data from OECD. Last updated: 10/01/2026.

See also