Inflation Hungary 1998
Average inflation: 14.3%
Current Inflation
Inflation is very high at 14.3%, far above the ECB target.
Peak and Trough
The highest inflation was in January at 17.7%. The lowest inflation was in December at 10.3%.
- Highest month
- January: 17.7%
- Lowest month
- December: 10.3%
- Difference
- 7.4 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 14.4%. The lowest price increase was in Food and non-alcoholic beverages with an average of 14.4%.
- Highest increase
- Food and non-alcoholic beverages: 14.4%
- Lowest increase
- Food and non-alcoholic beverages: 14.4%
Historical Context
Current inflation is 6.3% lower than the 5-year average of 20.6%. This approaches the lowest level since records began (14.3% in 1998).
- 5-year average
- 20.6%
- 10-year average
- 23%
- All-time high (1991)
- 34.9%
- All-time low (1998)
- 14.3%
Trend
Inflation shows a downward trend. Compared to 1997, inflation has fallen by +4.0 percentage point.
- Change vs. previous year
- -4.0 percentage points
- Largest monthly swing
- December: -8.1 percentage points
ECB Target
Inflation is 12.3% 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 €114.30 next year at this inflation rate.
Multi-year trend
Monthly figures 1998
Inflation by category
Inflation differs per product group. Click on a category for the historical trend.
Month overview
| Month | Inflation | Difference vs. 1997 |
|---|---|---|
| January | 17.7% | -1.2 |
| February | 17.1% | -1.7 |
| March | 16.4% | -2.4 |
| April | 16.0% | -2.5 |
| May | 15.8% | -1.9 |
| June | 14.1% | -4.6 |
| July | 14.1% | -4.0 |
| August | 13.5% | -4.5 |
| September | 12.5% | -5.5 |
| October | 12.3% | -5.4 |
| November | 11.2% | -7.0 |
| December | 10.3% | -8.1 |
| Average | 14.3% |
Data source
Data from OECD. Last updated: 17/12/2025.