Inflation Hungary 2021
Average inflation: 5.1%
Inflation in 2021
Inflation is very high at 5.1%, far above the ECB target.
Peak and Trough
The highest inflation was in November at 7.4%. The lowest inflation was in January at 2.7%.
- Highest month
- November: 7.4%
- Lowest month
- January: 2.7%
- Difference
- 4.7 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 12.0%. The lowest price increase was in Communication with an average of -1.7%.
- Highest increase
- Alcoholic beverages, tobacco and narcotics: 12.0%
- Lowest increase
- Communication: -1.7%
Historical Context
Inflation is 1.7 percentage points higher than the 5-year average of 3.4%.
- 5-year average
- 3.4%
- 10-year average
- 2.4%
- All-time high (2007)
- 8%
- All-time low (2014)
- -0.2%
Trend
Over the period 2019-2021, inflation shows an upward trend. Compared to 2020, inflation has risen by 1.8 percentage points.
- Change vs. previous year
- +1.8 percentage points
- Largest monthly swing
- November: +4.7 percentage points
ECB Target
Inflation is 3.1 percentage points 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 HUF 100 this year will cost approximately HUF 105 next year at this inflation rate.
Multi-year trend
Monthly figures 2021
Inflation by category
Inflation differs per product group. Click on a category for the historical trend.
Month overview
| Month | Inflation | Difference vs. 2020 |
|---|---|---|
| January | 2.7% | -2.0 |
| February | 3.1% | -1.3 |
| March | 3.7% | -0.2 |
| April | 5.1% | +2.7 |
| May | 5.1% | +2.9 |
| June | 5.3% | +2.4 |
| July | 4.6% | +0.8 |
| August | 4.9% | +1.0 |
| September | 5.5% | +2.1 |
| October | 6.5% | +3.5 |
| November | 7.4% | +4.7 |
| December | 7.4% | +4.7 |
| Average | 5.1% |
Data source
Data from OECD. Last updated: 13/01/2026.