Inflation Ireland 2018

Average inflation: 0.5%

Current Inflation

Inflation is very low at 0.5%, well below the ECB target.

Peak and Trough

The highest inflation was in September at 1.0%. The lowest inflation was in April at -0.4%.

Highest month
September: 1.0%
Lowest month
April: -0.4%
Difference
1.4 percentage points
Months with data
12 of 12

Category Insights

The highest price increase was in Housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels with an average of 5.1%. The lowest price increase was in Furnishings, household equipment and maintenance with an average of -3.9%.

Highest increase
Housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels: 5.1%
Lowest increase
Furnishings, household equipment and maintenance: -3.9%

Historical Context

Current inflation is around the 5-year average of 0.2%.

5-year average
0.2%
10-year average
0%
All-time high (2000)
5.6%
All-time low (2009)
-4.4%

Trend

Inflation has remained relatively stable. Compared to 2017, the difference is minimal (+0.1 percentage point).

Change vs. previous year
+0.1 percentage points
Largest monthly swing
April: -1.4 percentage points

ECB Target

Inflation is 1.5% below the ECB target of 2.0%. Too low inflation may indicate economic weakness.

Purchasing Power

At this inflation rate, purchasing power gradually decreases. The impact on daily expenses is relatively limited.

What you could buy for €100 this year will cost approximately €100.50 next year at this inflation rate.

Multi-year trend

Monthly figures 2018

Inflation by category

Food and non-alcoholic beverages
-2.0%
-2.5vs avg.
More details →
Alcoholic beverages, tobacco and narcotics
2.8%
+2.3vs avg.
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Clothing and footwear
-1.5%
-2.0vs avg.
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Housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels
5.1%
+4.6vs avg.
More details →
Furnishings, household equipment and maintenance
-3.9%
-4.4vs avg.
More details →
Health
0.2%
-0.3vs avg.
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Transport
0.8%
+0.3vs avg.
More details →
Communication
-0.9%
-1.4vs avg.
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Recreation and culture
-1.0%
-1.5vs avg.
More details →
Education
1.6%
+1.1vs avg.
More details →
Restaurants and hotels
2.1%
+1.6vs avg.
More details →
Miscellaneous goods and services
-3.1%
-3.6vs avg.
More details →

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

Month overview

Month Inflation Difference vs. 2017
January 0.1% -0.3
February 0.4% -0.2
March 0.2% -0.5
April -0.4% -1.4
May 0.5% +0.4
June 0.4% +0.8
July 0.7% +0.8
August 0.6% +0.1
September 1.0% +0.8
October 1.0% +0.5
November 0.6% +0.1
December 0.6% +0.2
Average 0.5%

Data source

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

See also