Inflation Japan 1973
Average inflation: 11.6%
Current Inflation
Inflation is very high at 11.6%, far above the ECB target.
Peak and Trough
The highest inflation was in December at 18.3%. The lowest inflation was in January at 6.7%.
- Highest month
- December: 18.3%
- Lowest month
- January: 6.7%
- Difference
- 11.6 percentage points
- Months with data
- 12 of 12
Category Insights
The highest price increase was in Clothing and footwear with an average of 22.6%. The lowest price increase was in Health with an average of -1.2%.
- Highest increase
- Clothing and footwear: 22.6%
- Lowest increase
- Health: -1.2%
Historical Context
Current inflation is 4.2% higher than the 5-year average of 7.4%. This approaches the highest level since records began (11.6% in 1973).
- 5-year average
- 7.4%
- 10-year average
- 7.4%
- All-time high (1973)
- 11.6%
- All-time low (1972)
- 4.9%
Trend
Inflation shows an upward trend. Compared to 1972, inflation has risen by +6.7 percentage point.
- Change vs. previous year
- +6.7 percentage points
- Largest monthly swing
- December: +12.6 percentage points
ECB Target
Inflation is 9.6% 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 €111.60 next year at this inflation rate.
Multi-year trend
Monthly figures 1973
Inflation by category
Inflation differs per product group. Click on a category for the historical trend.
Month overview
| Month | Inflation | Difference vs. 1972 |
|---|---|---|
| January | 6.7% | +2.6 |
| February | 7.0% | +2.5 |
| March | 8.7% | +3.4 |
| April | 9.4% | +4.4 |
| May | 10.8% | +5.6 |
| June | 11.0% | +6.2 |
| July | 11.7% | +6.7 |
| August | 11.9% | +6.0 |
| September | 14.2% | +10.3 |
| October | 13.9% | +9.5 |
| November | 15.2% | +10.1 |
| December | 18.3% | +12.6 |
| Average | 11.6% |
Data source
Data from OECD. Last updated: 11/01/2026.