Inflation United Kingdom 1983

Average inflation: 4.6%

Current Inflation

Inflation is high at 4.6%, well above the ECB target.

Peak and Trough

The highest inflation was in February at 5.3%. The lowest inflation was in May at 3.7%.

Highest month
February: 5.3%
Lowest month
May: 3.7%
Difference
1.6 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 3.7%. The lowest price increase was in Food and non-alcoholic beverages with an average of 3.7%.

Highest increase
Food and non-alcoholic beverages: 3.7%
Lowest increase
Food and non-alcoholic beverages: 3.7%

Historical Context

Current inflation is 6.7% lower than the 5-year average of 11.3%.

5-year average
11.3%
10-year average
13.8%
All-time high (1975)
24.1%
All-time low (1967)
2.5%

Trend

Inflation shows a downward trend. Compared to 1982, inflation has fallen by +4.1 percentage point.

Change vs. previous year
-4.1 percentage points
Largest monthly swing
January: -7.1 percentage points

ECB Target

Inflation is 2.6% above the ECB target of 2.0%. This means purchasing power is declining faster than intended.

Purchasing Power

At this inflation rate, purchasing power noticeably decreases. Without a salary increase, you can buy less with the same money.

What you could buy for €100 this year will cost approximately €104.60 next year at this inflation rate.

Multi-year trend

Monthly figures 1983

Inflation by category

Food and non-alcoholic beverages
3.7%
-0.9vs avg.
More details →

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

Month overview

Month Inflation Difference vs. 1982
January 4.9% -7.1
February 5.3% -5.7
March 4.6% -5.8
April 4.0% -5.4
May 3.7% -5.8
June 3.7% -5.5
July 4.2% -4.5
August 4.6% -3.4
September 5.1% -2.2
October 5.0% -1.8
November 4.8% -1.5
December 5.3% -0.1
Average 4.6%

Data source

Data from OECD. Last updated: 17/12/2025.

See also