Inflation Israel 1998

Average inflation: 5.5%

Current Inflation

Inflation is very high at 5.5%, far above the ECB target.

Peak and Trough

The highest inflation was in December at 8.6%. The lowest inflation was in July at 3.0%.

Highest month
December: 8.6%
Lowest month
July: 3.0%
Difference
5.6 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 Clothing and footwear with an average of -1.3%.

Highest increase
Alcoholic beverages, tobacco and narcotics: 8.4%
Lowest increase
Clothing and footwear: -1.3%

Historical Context

Current inflation is 4.1% lower than the 5-year average of 9.6%. This approaches the lowest level since records began (5.5% in 1998).

5-year average
9.6%
10-year average
12.8%
All-time high (1985)
348%
All-time low (1998)
5.5%

Trend

Inflation shows a downward trend. Compared to 1997, inflation has fallen by +3.5 percentage point.

Change vs. previous year
-3.5 percentage points
Largest monthly swing
August: -6.5 percentage points

ECB Target

Inflation is 3.5% 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 €105.50 next year at this inflation rate.

Multi-year trend

Monthly figures 1998

Inflation by category

Food and non-alcoholic beverages
5.9%
+0.4vs avg.
More details →
Alcoholic beverages, tobacco and narcotics
8.4%
+2.9vs avg.
More details →
Clothing and footwear
-1.3%
-6.8vs avg.
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Housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels
5.6%
+0.1vs avg.
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Furnishings, household equipment and maintenance
4.3%
-1.3vs avg.
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Health
7.1%
+1.6vs avg.
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Transport
5.8%
+0.3vs avg.
More details →
Communication
-0.3%
-5.8vs avg.
More details →
Recreation and culture
6.5%
+1.0vs avg.
More details →
Education
6.8%
+1.3vs avg.
More details →
Restaurants and hotels
6.7%
+1.2vs avg.
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Miscellaneous goods and services
6.4%
+0.9vs avg.
More details →

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

Month overview

Month Inflation Difference vs. 1997
January 7.1% -3.1
February 5.6% -4.6
March 4.7% -5.2
April 5.2% -4.0
May 5.1% -2.7
June 4.2% -4.3
July 3.0% -6.2
August 3.0% -6.5
September 4.5% -4.4
October 6.4% -2.8
November 8.3% +0.2
December 8.6% +1.5
Average 5.5%

Data source

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

See also