Inflation Ireland 2018
Average inflation: 0.5%
Inflation in 2018
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
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
Over the period 2016-2018, inflation has remained relatively stable. Compared to 2017, inflation has risen by 0.1 percentage points.
- Change vs. previous year
- +0.1 percentage points
- Largest monthly swing
- April: -1.4 percentage points
ECB Target
Inflation is 1.5 percentage points 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
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: 23/05/2026.