Inflation United Kingdom 1990
Average inflation: 8.0%
Inflation in 1990
Inflation is very high at 8.0%, far above the ECB target.
Peak and Trough
The highest inflation was in September at 9.2%. The lowest inflation was in January at 5.9%.
- Highest month
- September: 9.2%
- Lowest month
- January: 5.9%
- Difference
- 3.3 percentage points
- Months with data
- 12 of 12
Category Insights
The highest price increase was in Housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels with an average of 10.9%. The lowest price increase was in Clothing and footwear with an average of 3.7%.
- Highest increase
- Housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels: 10.9%
- Lowest increase
- Clothing and footwear: 3.7%
Historical Context
Inflation is 2.9 percentage points higher than the 5-year average of 5.1%.
- 5-year average
- 5.1%
- 10-year average
- 6.2%
- All-time high (1975)
- 24.1%
- All-time low (1986)
- 3.4%
Trend
Over the period 1988-1990, inflation shows an upward trend. Compared to 1989, inflation has risen by 2.3 percentage points.
- Change vs. previous year
- +2.3 percentage points
- Largest monthly swing
- September: +3.5 percentage points
ECB Target
Inflation is 6.0 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 next year at this inflation rate.
Multi-year trend
Monthly figures 1990
Inflation by category
Inflation differs per product group. Click on a category for the historical trend.
Month overview
| Month | Inflation | Difference vs. 1989 |
|---|---|---|
| January | 5.9% | +0.2 |
| February | 6.3% | +0.5 |
| March | 6.2% | +0.3 |
| April | 7.7% | +2.1 |
| May | 8.2% | +2.3 |
| June | 8.2% | +2.4 |
| July | 8.2% | +2.5 |
| August | 8.9% | +3.4 |
| September | 9.2% | +3.5 |
| October | 9.2% | +3.4 |
| November | 9.2% | +3.5 |
| December | 9.2% | +3.4 |
| Average | 8.0% |
Data source
Data from OECD. Last updated: 13/01/2026.