Inflation Hungary 1997
Average inflation: 18.3%
Current Inflation
Inflation is very high at 18.3%, far above the ECB target.
Peak and Trough
The highest inflation was in January at 18.9%. The lowest inflation was in May at 17.7%.
- Highest month
- January: 18.9%
- Lowest month
- May: 17.7%
- Difference
- 1.2 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 17.4%. The lowest price increase was in Food and non-alcoholic beverages with an average of 17.4%.
- Highest increase
- Food and non-alcoholic beverages: 17.4%
- Lowest increase
- Food and non-alcoholic beverages: 17.4%
Historical Context
Current inflation is 4.0% lower than the 5-year average of 22.3%. This approaches the lowest level since records began (18.3% in 1997).
- 5-year average
- 22.3%
- 10-year average
- 24.3%
- All-time high (1991)
- 34.9%
- All-time low (1997)
- 18.3%
Trend
Inflation shows a downward trend. Compared to 1996, inflation has fallen by +5.3 percentage point.
- Change vs. previous year
- -5.3 percentage points
- Largest monthly swing
- January: -10.0 percentage points
ECB Target
Inflation is 16.3% 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 €118.30 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 | 18.9% | -10.0 |
| February | 18.8% | -9.5 |
| March | 18.8% | -6.9 |
| April | 18.5% | -5.9 |
| May | 17.7% | -6.2 |
| June | 18.7% | -4.9 |
| July | 18.1% | -4.8 |
| August | 18.0% | -4.9 |
| September | 18.0% | -4.2 |
| October | 17.7% | -3.3 |
| November | 18.2% | -1.9 |
| December | 18.4% | -1.4 |
| Average | 18.3% |
Data source
Data from OECD. Last updated: 17/12/2025.