Inflation United Kingdom 2024

Average inflation: 3.3%

Current Inflation

Inflation is high at 3.3%, well above the ECB target.

Peak and Trough

The highest inflation was in January at 4.2%. The lowest inflation was in September at 2.6%.

Highest month
January: 4.2%
Lowest month
September: 2.6%
Difference
1.6 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 7.8%. The lowest price increase was in Furnishings, household equipment and maintenance with an average of -0.8%.

Highest increase
Alcoholic beverages, tobacco and narcotics: 7.8%
Lowest increase
Furnishings, household equipment and maintenance: -0.8%

Historical Context

Current inflation is 1.0% lower than the 5-year average of 4.3%.

5-year average
4.3%
10-year average
3%
All-time high (2022)
7.9%
All-time low (2015)
0.4%

Trend

Inflation shows a downward trend. Compared to 2023, inflation has fallen by +3.5 percentage point.

Change vs. previous year
-3.5 percentage points
Largest monthly swing
February: -5.4 percentage points

ECB Target

Inflation is 1.3% above the ECB target of 2.0%. This means purchasing power is declining faster than intended.

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 €103.30 next year at this inflation rate.

Multi-year trend

Monthly figures 2024

Inflation by category

Food and non-alcoholic beverages
2.7%
-0.6vs avg.
More details →
Alcoholic beverages, tobacco and narcotics
7.8%
+4.5vs avg.
More details →
Clothing and footwear
2.6%
-0.7vs avg.
More details →
Housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels
3.6%
+0.3vs avg.
More details →
Furnishings, household equipment and maintenance
-0.8%
-4.1vs avg.
More details →
Health
6.1%
+2.8vs avg.
More details →
Transport
-0.4%
-3.7vs avg.
More details →
Communication
5.2%
+1.9vs avg.
More details →
Recreation and culture
4.3%
+1.0vs avg.
More details →
Education
4.6%
+1.3vs avg.
More details →
Restaurants and hotels
5.2%
+1.9vs avg.
More details →
Miscellaneous goods and services
3.3%
-0.0vs avg.
More details →

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

Month overview

Month Inflation Difference vs. 2023
January 4.2% -4.6
February 3.8% -5.4
March 3.8% -5.1
April 3.0% -4.8
May 2.8% -5.1
June 2.8% -4.5
July 3.1% -3.3
August 3.1% -3.2
September 2.6% -3.7
October 3.2% -1.5
November 3.5% -0.7
December 3.5% -0.7
Average 3.3%

Data source

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

See also