Inflation United Kingdom 2023

Average inflation: 6.8%

Current Inflation

Inflation is very high at 6.8%, far above the ECB target.

Peak and Trough

The highest inflation was in February at 9.2%. The lowest inflation was in November at 4.2%.

Highest month
February: 9.2%
Lowest month
November: 4.2%
Difference
5.0 percentage points
Months with data
12 of 12

Category Insights

The highest price increase was in Food and non-alcoholic beverages with an average of 14.8%. The lowest price increase was in Transport with an average of 0.4%.

Highest increase
Food and non-alcoholic beverages: 14.8%
Lowest increase
Transport: 0.4%

Historical Context

Current inflation is 2.8% higher than the 5-year average of 4.0%.

5-year average
4%
10-year average
2.8%
All-time high (2022)
7.9%
All-time low (2015)
0.4%

Trend

Inflation shows an upward trend. Compared to 2022, inflation has risen by -1.1 percentage point.

Change vs. previous year
-1.1 percentage points
Largest monthly swing
November: -5.1 percentage points

ECB Target

Inflation is 4.8% 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 €106.80 next year at this inflation rate.

Multi-year trend

Monthly figures 2023

Inflation by category

Food and non-alcoholic beverages
14.8%
+8.0vs avg.
More details →
Alcoholic beverages, tobacco and narcotics
9.1%
+2.3vs avg.
More details →
Clothing and footwear
6.8%
-0.0vs avg.
More details →
Housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels
6.6%
-0.2vs avg.
More details →
Furnishings, household equipment and maintenance
5.9%
-0.9vs avg.
More details →
Health
7.8%
+1.0vs avg.
More details →
Transport
0.4%
-6.4vs avg.
More details →
Communication
7.0%
+0.2vs avg.
More details →
Recreation and culture
5.9%
-0.9vs avg.
More details →
Education
3.6%
-3.2vs avg.
More details →
Restaurants and hotels
9.4%
+2.6vs avg.
More details →
Miscellaneous goods and services
5.7%
-1.1vs avg.
More details →

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

Month overview

Month Inflation Difference vs. 2022
January 8.8% +3.9
February 9.2% +3.7
March 8.9% +2.7
April 7.8% 0.0
May 7.9% 0.0
June 7.3% -0.9
July 6.4% -2.4
August 6.3% -2.3
September 6.3% -2.5
October 4.7% -4.9
November 4.2% -5.1
December 4.2% -5.0
Average 6.8%

Data source

Data from OECD. Last updated: 13/01/2026.

See also