Inflation United Kingdom 1987
Average inflation: 4.2%
Inflation in 1987
Inflation is high at 4.2%, well above the ECB target.
Peak and Trough
The highest inflation was in October at 4.5%. The lowest inflation was in December at 3.7%.
- Highest month
- October: 4.5%
- Lowest month
- December: 3.7%
- Difference
- 0.8 percentage points
- Months with data
- 12 of 12
Historical Context
Inflation is around the 5-year average of 4.7%.
- 5-year average
- 4.7%
- 10-year average
- 8.4%
- All-time high (1975)
- 24.1%
- All-time low (1986)
- 3.4%
Trend
Over the period 1985-1987, inflation shows a downward trend. Compared to 1986, inflation has risen by 0.8 percentage points.
- Change vs. previous year
- +0.8 percentage points
- Largest monthly swing
- July: +2.0 percentage points
ECB Target
Inflation is 2.2 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 £104.20 next year at this inflation rate.
Multi-year trend
Monthly figures 1987
Inflation by category
Inflation differs per product group. Click on a category for the historical trend.
Month overview
| Month | Inflation | Difference vs. 1986 |
|---|---|---|
| January | 4.0% | -1.5 |
| February | 3.9% | -1.2 |
| March | 4.0% | -0.2 |
| April | 4.2% | +1.1 |
| May | 4.2% | +1.5 |
| June | 4.2% | +1.7 |
| July | 4.4% | +2.0 |
| August | 4.4% | +2.0 |
| September | 4.2% | +1.2 |
| October | 4.5% | +1.5 |
| November | 4.1% | +0.6 |
| December | 3.7% | -0.1 |
| Average | 4.2% |
Data source
Data from OECD. Last updated: 17/12/2025.