Inflation Japan 1979
Average inflation: 3.7%
Current Inflation
Inflation is high at 3.7%, well above the ECB target.
Peak and Trough
The highest inflation was in December at 5.6%. The lowest inflation was in March at 2.7%.
- Highest month
- December: 5.6%
- Lowest month
- March: 2.7%
- Difference
- 2.9 percentage points
- Months with data
- 12 of 12
Category Insights
The highest price increase was in Education with an average of 9.4%. The lowest price increase was in Communication with an average of 0.1%.
- Highest increase
- Education: 9.4%
- Lowest increase
- Communication: 0.1%
Historical Context
Current inflation is 3.8% lower than the 5-year average of 7.5%. This approaches the lowest level since records began (3.7% in 1979).
- 5-year average
- 7.5%
- 10-year average
- 9%
- All-time high (1974)
- 23.2%
- All-time low (1979)
- 3.7%
Trend
Inflation shows a downward trend. Compared to 1978, inflation has fallen by +0.5 percentage point.
- Change vs. previous year
- -0.5 percentage points
- Largest monthly swing
- March: -2.1 percentage points
ECB Target
Inflation is 1.7% above the ECB target of 2.0%. This means purchasing power is declining faster than intended.
Purchasing Power
At this inflation rate, purchasing power noticeably decreases. Without a salary increase, you can buy less with the same money.
What you could buy for €100 this year will cost approximately €103.70 next year at this inflation rate.
Multi-year trend
Monthly figures 1979
Inflation by category
Inflation differs per product group. Click on a category for the historical trend.
Month overview
| Month | Inflation | Difference vs. 1978 |
|---|---|---|
| January | 3.6% | -0.9 |
| February | 2.8% | -1.7 |
| March | 2.7% | -2.1 |
| April | 2.9% | -1.3 |
| May | 3.2% | -0.7 |
| June | 3.8% | -0.1 |
| July | 4.3% | -0.3 |
| August | 3.1% | -1.5 |
| September | 3.2% | -0.9 |
| October | 4.2% | +0.5 |
| November | 5.0% | +1.2 |
| December | 5.6% | +1.7 |
| Average | 3.7% |
Data source
Data from OECD. Last updated: 11/01/2026.