Inflation United Kingdom 1983
Average inflation: 4.6%
Inflation in 1983
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
Historical Context
Inflation is 6.7 percentage points 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
Over the period 1981-1983, inflation shows a downward trend. Compared to 1982, inflation has fallen by 4.1 percentage points.
- Change vs. previous year
- -4.1 percentage points
- Largest monthly swing
- January: -7.1 percentage points
ECB Target
Inflation is 2.6 percentage points 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
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.