Inflation United Kingdom 1997
Average inflation: 2.2%
Inflation in 1997
Inflation is normal at 2.2%, around the ECB target.
Peak and Trough
The highest inflation was in January at 2.6%. The lowest inflation was in December at 1.9%.
- Highest month
- January: 2.6%
- Lowest month
- December: 1.9%
- Difference
- 0.7 percentage points
- Months with data
- 12 of 12
Category Insights
The highest price increase was in Education with an average of 5.1%. The lowest price increase was in Communication with an average of -2.6%.
- Highest increase
- Education: 5.1%
- Lowest increase
- Communication: -2.6%
Historical Context
Inflation is around the 5-year average of 2.5%. This approaches the lowest level since records began (2.2% in 1997).
- 5-year average
- 2.5%
- 10-year average
- 4.3%
- All-time high (1980)
- 18.1%
- All-time low (1997)
- 2.2%
Trend
Over the period 1995-1997, inflation has remained relatively stable. Compared to 1996, inflation has fallen by 0.7 percentage points.
- Change vs. previous year
- -0.7 percentage points
- Largest monthly swing
- November: -1.0 percentage points
ECB Target
Inflation is close to the ECB target of 2.0%.
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 £102.20 next year at this inflation rate.
Multi-year trend
Monthly figures 1997
Inflation by category
Inflation differs per product group. Click on a category for the historical trend.
Month overview
| Month | Inflation | Difference vs. 1996 |
|---|---|---|
| January | 2.6% | -0.3 |
| February | 2.4% | -0.6 |
| March | 2.2% | -0.8 |
| April | 2.1% | -0.7 |
| May | 2.1% | -0.7 |
| June | 2.1% | -0.7 |
| July | 2.4% | -0.3 |
| August | 2.3% | -0.4 |
| September | 2.2% | -0.5 |
| October | 2.2% | -0.8 |
| November | 2.1% | -1.0 |
| December | 1.9% | -0.9 |
| Average | 2.2% |
Data source
Data from OECD. Last updated: 13/01/2026.