Inflation Sri Lanka 2017
Average inflation: 7.7%
Current Inflation
Inflation is very high at 7.7%, far above the ECB target.
Peak and Trough
The highest inflation was in October at 8.8%. The lowest inflation was in June at 6.3%.
- Highest month
- October: 8.8%
- Lowest month
- June: 6.3%
- Difference
- 2.5 percentage points
- Months with data
- 12 of 12
Category Insights
The highest price increase was in Food with an average of 11.3%. The lowest price increase was in Energy with an average of 0.9%.
- Highest increase
- Food: 11.3%
- Lowest increase
- Energy: 0.9%
Historical Context
Current inflation is 2.6% higher than the 5-year average of 5.1%. This approaches the highest level since records began (7.7% in 2017).
- 5-year average
- 5.1%
- 10-year average
- 5.7%
- All-time high (2017)
- 7.7%
- All-time low (2014)
- 3.2%
Trend
Inflation shows an upward trend. Compared to 2016, inflation has risen by +3.7 percentage point.
- Change vs. previous year
- +3.7 percentage points
- Largest monthly swing
- January: +7.2 percentage points
ECB Target
Inflation is 5.7% 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 €107.70 next year at this inflation rate.
Multi-year trend
Monthly figures 2017
Month overview
| Month | Inflation | Difference vs. 2016 |
|---|---|---|
| January | 6.5% | +7.2 |
| February | 8.2% | +6.5 |
| March | 8.6% | +6.4 |
| April | 8.4% | +4.1 |
| May | 7.1% | +1.8 |
| June | 6.3% | -0.1 |
| July | 6.3% | +0.5 |
| August | 7.9% | +3.4 |
| September | 8.6% | +3.9 |
| October | 8.8% | +3.8 |
| November | 8.4% | +4.3 |
| December | 7.3% | +3.1 |
| Average | 7.7% |
Data source
Data from WorldBank. Last updated: 06/01/2026.