Inflation United Kingdom 1985
Average inflation: 6.1%
Inflation in 1985
Inflation is very high at 6.1%, far above the ECB target.
Peak and Trough
The highest inflation was in May at 7.0%. The lowest inflation was in January at 5.0%.
- Highest month
- May: 7.0%
- Lowest month
- January: 5.0%
- Difference
- 2.0 percentage points
- Months with data
- 12 of 12
Historical Context
Inflation is 1.2 percentage points lower than the 5-year average of 7.3%.
- 5-year average
- 7.3%
- 10-year average
- 10.9%
- All-time high (1975)
- 24.1%
- All-time low (1967)
- 2.5%
Trend
Over the period 1983-1985, inflation shows an upward trend. Compared to 1984, inflation has risen by 1.1 percentage points.
- Change vs. previous year
- +1.1 percentage points
- Largest monthly swing
- July: +2.4 percentage points
ECB Target
Inflation is 4.1 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 £106.10 next year at this inflation rate.
Multi-year trend
Monthly figures 1985
Inflation by category
Inflation differs per product group. Click on a category for the historical trend.
Month overview
| Month | Inflation | Difference vs. 1984 |
|---|---|---|
| January | 5.0% | -0.1 |
| February | 5.4% | +0.3 |
| March | 6.1% | +0.9 |
| April | 6.9% | +1.7 |
| May | 7.0% | +1.9 |
| June | 7.0% | +1.9 |
| July | 6.9% | +2.4 |
| August | 6.2% | +1.2 |
| September | 5.9% | +1.2 |
| October | 5.4% | +0.4 |
| November | 5.4% | +0.5 |
| December | 5.6% | +1.0 |
| Average | 6.1% |
Data source
Data from OECD. Last updated: 17/12/2025.