Inflation Hungary 2019

Average inflation: 3.4%

Current Inflation

Inflation is high at 3.4%, well above the ECB target.

Peak and Trough

The highest inflation was in December at 4.0%. The lowest inflation was in January at 2.7%.

Highest month
December: 4.0%
Lowest month
January: 2.7%
Difference
1.3 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 8.4%. The lowest price increase was in Communication with an average of 0.1%.

Highest increase
Alcoholic beverages, tobacco and narcotics: 8.4%
Lowest increase
Communication: 0.1%

Historical Context

Current inflation is 1.6% higher than the 5-year average of 1.8%.

5-year average
1.8%
10-year average
2.5%
All-time high (2000)
9.8%
All-time low (2014)
-0.2%

Trend

Inflation shows an upward trend. Compared to 2018, inflation has risen by +0.5 percentage point.

Change vs. previous year
+0.5 percentage points
Largest monthly swing
March: +1.7 percentage points

ECB Target

Inflation is 1.4% 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 €103.40 next year at this inflation rate.

Multi-year trend

Monthly figures 2019

Inflation by category

Food and non-alcoholic beverages
5.1%
+1.7vs avg.
More details →
Alcoholic beverages, tobacco and narcotics
8.4%
+5.0vs avg.
More details →
Clothing and footwear
1.2%
-2.2vs avg.
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Housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels
2.2%
-1.2vs avg.
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Furnishings, household equipment and maintenance
2.1%
-1.3vs avg.
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Health
3.8%
+0.4vs avg.
More details →
Transport
0.9%
-2.5vs avg.
More details →
Communication
0.1%
-3.3vs avg.
More details →
Recreation and culture
1.5%
-1.9vs avg.
More details →
Education
3.1%
-0.3vs avg.
More details →
Restaurants and hotels
6.5%
+3.1vs avg.
More details →
Miscellaneous goods and services
2.4%
-1.0vs avg.
More details →

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

Month overview

Month Inflation Difference vs. 2018
January 2.7% +0.6
February 3.1% +1.2
March 3.7% +1.7
April 3.9% +1.6
May 3.9% +1.1
June 3.4% +0.3
July 3.3% -0.1
August 3.1% -0.3
September 2.8% -0.8
October 2.9% -0.9
November 3.4% +0.3
December 4.0% +1.3
Average 3.4%

Data source

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

See also