Inflation United Kingdom 1991
Average inflation: 7.5%
Inflation in 1991
Inflation is very high at 7.5%, far above the ECB target.
Peak and Trough
The highest inflation was in January at 8.6%. The lowest inflation was in October at 6.5%.
- Highest month
- January: 8.6%
- Lowest month
- October: 6.5%
- Difference
- 2.1 percentage points
- Months with data
- 12 of 12
Category Insights
The highest price increase was in Alcoholic beverages, tobacco and narcotics with an average of 13.0%. The lowest price increase was in Clothing and footwear with an average of 1.7%.
- Highest increase
- Alcoholic beverages, tobacco and narcotics: 13.0%
- Lowest increase
- Clothing and footwear: 1.7%
Historical Context
Inflation is 1.6 percentage points higher than the 5-year average of 5.9%.
- 5-year average
- 5.9%
- 10-year average
- 5.7%
- All-time high (1975)
- 24.1%
- All-time low (1986)
- 3.4%
Trend
Over the period 1989-1991, inflation shows an upward trend. Compared to 1990, inflation has fallen by 0.5 percentage points.
- Change vs. previous year
- -0.5 percentage points
- Largest monthly swing
- January: +2.7 percentage points
ECB Target
Inflation is 5.5 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 £107.50 next year at this inflation rate.
Multi-year trend
Monthly figures 1991
Inflation by category
Inflation differs per product group. Click on a category for the historical trend.
Month overview
| Month | Inflation | Difference vs. 1990 |
|---|---|---|
| January | 8.6% | +2.7 |
| February | 8.2% | +1.9 |
| March | 8.3% | +2.1 |
| April | 8.0% | +0.3 |
| May | 7.5% | -0.7 |
| June | 7.7% | -0.5 |
| July | 7.5% | -0.7 |
| August | 7.5% | -1.4 |
| September | 6.9% | -2.3 |
| October | 6.5% | -2.7 |
| November | 6.5% | -2.7 |
| December | 6.5% | -2.7 |
| Average | 7.5% |
Data source
Data from OECD. Last updated: 13/01/2026.