Inflation United Kingdom 1979
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 17.4%. The lowest inflation was in January at 9.3%.
- Highest month
- November: 17.4%
- Lowest month
- January: 9.3%
- Difference
- 8.1 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 12.6%. The lowest price increase was in Food and non-alcoholic beverages with an average of 12.6%.
- Highest increase
- Food and non-alcoholic beverages: 12.6%
- Lowest increase
- Food and non-alcoholic beverages: 12.6%
Historical Context
Current inflation is 2.4% lower than the 5-year average of 15.7%.
- 5-year average
- 15.7%
- 10-year average
- 12.7%
- All-time high (1975)
- 24.1%
- All-time low (1960)
- 1%
Trend
Inflation shows a downward trend. Compared to 1978, inflation has fallen by +5.0 percentage point.
- Change vs. previous year
- +5.0 percentage points
- Largest monthly swing
- October: +9.4 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 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 | 9.3% | -0.6 |
| February | 9.6% | +0.1 |
| March | 9.8% | +0.7 |
| April | 10.1% | +2.2 |
| May | 10.3% | +2.6 |
| June | 11.4% | +4.0 |
| July | 15.6% | +7.8 |
| August | 15.8% | +7.8 |
| September | 16.5% | +8.7 |
| October | 17.2% | +9.4 |
| November | 17.4% | +9.3 |
| December | 17.2% | +8.8 |
| Average | 13.3% |
Data source
Data from OECD. Last updated: 17/12/2025.