Inflation United Kingdom 1982
Average inflation: 8.7%
Inflation in 1982
Inflation is very high at 8.7%, far above the ECB target.
Peak and Trough
The highest inflation was in January at 12.0%. The lowest inflation was in December at 5.4%.
- Highest month
- January: 12.0%
- Lowest month
- December: 5.4%
- Difference
- 6.6 percentage points
- Months with data
- 12 of 12
Historical Context
Inflation is 3.4 percentage points lower than the 5-year average of 12.1%.
- 5-year average
- 12.1%
- 10-year average
- 14.2%
- All-time high (1975)
- 24.1%
- All-time low (1963)
- 2%
Trend
Over the period 1980-1982, inflation shows a downward trend. Compared to 1981, inflation has fallen by 3.2 percentage points.
- Change vs. previous year
- -3.2 percentage points
- Largest monthly swing
- December: -6.6 percentage points
ECB Target
Inflation is 6.7 percentage points 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 £108.70 next year at this inflation rate.
Multi-year trend
Monthly figures 1982
Inflation by category
Inflation differs per product group. Click on a category for the historical trend.
Month overview
| Month | Inflation | Difference vs. 1981 |
|---|---|---|
| January | 12.0% | -1.0 |
| February | 11.0% | -1.5 |
| March | 10.4% | -2.2 |
| April | 9.4% | -2.6 |
| May | 9.5% | -2.2 |
| June | 9.2% | -2.1 |
| July | 8.7% | -2.2 |
| August | 8.0% | -3.5 |
| September | 7.3% | -4.1 |
| October | 6.8% | -4.9 |
| November | 6.3% | -5.7 |
| December | 5.4% | -6.6 |
| Average | 8.7% |
Data source
Data from OECD. Last updated: 17/12/2025.