Inflation United Kingdom 2004

Average inflation: 1.4%

Current Inflation

Inflation is low at 1.4%, below the ECB target of 2%.

Peak and Trough

The highest inflation was in December at 1.8%. The lowest inflation was in April at 1.1%.

Highest month
December: 1.8%
Lowest month
April: 1.1%
Difference
0.7 percentage points
Months with data
12 of 12

Category Insights

The highest price increase was in Education with an average of 4.8%. The lowest price increase was in Clothing and footwear with an average of -4.8%.

Highest increase
Education: 4.8%
Lowest increase
Clothing and footwear: -4.8%

Historical Context

Current inflation is around the 5-year average of 1.4%.

5-year average
1.4%
10-year average
1.8%
All-time high (1990)
8%
All-time low (2000)
1.2%

Trend

Inflation has remained relatively stable. Compared to 2003, the difference is minimal (+0.0 percentage point).

Change vs. previous year
+0.0 percentage points
Largest monthly swing
December: +0.5 percentage points

ECB Target

Inflation is 0.6% below the ECB target of 2.0%. Too low inflation may indicate economic weakness.

Purchasing Power

At this inflation rate, purchasing power gradually decreases. The impact on daily expenses is relatively limited.

What you could buy for €100 this year will cost approximately €101.40 next year at this inflation rate.

Multi-year trend

Monthly figures 2004

Inflation by category

Food and non-alcoholic beverages
0.8%
-0.6vs avg.
More details →
Alcoholic beverages, tobacco and narcotics
2.0%
+0.6vs avg.
More details →
Clothing and footwear
-4.8%
-6.2vs avg.
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Housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels
2.1%
+0.7vs avg.
More details →
Furnishings, household equipment and maintenance
-0.1%
-1.5vs avg.
More details →
Health
1.9%
+0.5vs avg.
More details →
Transport
3.4%
+2.0vs avg.
More details →
Communication
-0.7%
-2.1vs avg.
More details →
Recreation and culture
-1.6%
-3.0vs avg.
More details →
Education
4.8%
+3.4vs avg.
More details →
Restaurants and hotels
2.9%
+1.5vs avg.
More details →
Miscellaneous goods and services
3.6%
+2.2vs avg.
More details →

Inflation differs per product group. Click on a category for the historical trend.

Month overview

Month Inflation Difference vs. 2003
January 1.5% +0.1
February 1.4% -0.2
March 1.2% -0.4
April 1.1% -0.4
May 1.4% +0.1
June 1.5% +0.3
July 1.4% +0.1
August 1.4% 0.0
September 1.2% -0.1
October 1.3% 0.0
November 1.5% +0.2
December 1.8% +0.5
Average 1.4%

Data source

Data from OECD. Last updated: 11/01/2026.

See also