Inflation United Kingdom 2018
Average inflation: 2.3%
Inflation in 2018
Inflation is normal at 2.3%, around the ECB target.
Peak and Trough
The highest inflation was in January at 2.7%. The lowest inflation was in December at 2.0%.
- Highest month
- January: 2.7%
- Lowest month
- December: 2.0%
- Difference
- 0.7 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 4.3%. The lowest price increase was in Miscellaneous goods and services with an average of -0.0%.
- Highest increase
- Alcoholic beverages, tobacco and narcotics: 4.3%
- Lowest increase
- Miscellaneous goods and services: -0.0%
Historical Context
Inflation is 0.7 percentage points higher than the 5-year average of 1.6%.
- 5-year average
- 1.6%
- 10-year average
- 2.1%
- All-time high (2011)
- 3.8%
- All-time low (2015)
- 0.4%
Trend
Over the period 2016-2018, inflation shows an upward trend. Compared to 2017, inflation has fallen by 0.3 percentage points.
- Change vs. previous year
- -0.3 percentage points
- Largest monthly swing
- January: +0.8 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 £102.30 next year at this inflation rate.
Multi-year trend
Monthly figures 2018
Inflation by category
Inflation differs per product group. Click on a category for the historical trend.
Month overview
| Month | Inflation | Difference vs. 2017 |
|---|---|---|
| January | 2.7% | +0.8 |
| February | 2.5% | +0.2 |
| March | 2.3% | 0.0 |
| April | 2.2% | -0.4 |
| May | 2.3% | -0.4 |
| June | 2.3% | -0.3 |
| July | 2.3% | -0.3 |
| August | 2.4% | -0.3 |
| September | 2.2% | -0.6 |
| October | 2.2% | -0.6 |
| November | 2.2% | -0.6 |
| December | 2.0% | -0.7 |
| Average | 2.3% |
Data source
Data from OECD. Last updated: 13/01/2026.