Inflation Sri Lanka 2018
Average inflation: 2.2%
Current Inflation
Inflation is normal at 2.2%, around the ECB target.
Peak and Trough
The highest inflation was in January at 5.4%. The lowest inflation was in October at 0.1%.
- Highest month
- January: 5.4%
- Lowest month
- October: 0.1%
- Difference
- 5.3 percentage points
- Months with data
- 12 of 12
Category Insights
The highest price increase was in Core inflation with an average of 2.4%. The lowest price increase was in Food with an average of -0.1%.
- Highest increase
- Core inflation: 2.4%
- Lowest increase
- Food: -0.1%
Historical Context
Current inflation is 2.0% lower than the 5-year average of 4.2%. This approaches the lowest level since records began (2.2% in 2018).
- 5-year average
- 4.2%
- 10-year average
- 5.3%
- All-time high (2017)
- 7.7%
- All-time low (2018)
- 2.2%
Trend
Inflation shows a downward trend. Compared to 2017, inflation has fallen by +5.5 percentage point.
- Change vs. previous year
- -5.5 percentage points
- Largest monthly swing
- October: -8.7 percentage points
ECB Target
Inflation is close to the ECB target of 2.0%.
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 €102.20 next year at this inflation rate.
Multi-year trend
Monthly figures 2018
Month overview
| Month | Inflation | Difference vs. 2017 |
|---|---|---|
| January | 5.4% | -1.1 |
| February | 3.2% | -5.0 |
| March | 2.8% | -5.8 |
| April | 1.6% | -6.8 |
| May | 2.1% | -5.0 |
| June | 2.5% | -3.8 |
| July | 3.4% | -2.9 |
| August | 2.5% | -5.4 |
| September | 0.9% | -7.7 |
| October | 0.1% | -8.7 |
| November | 1.0% | -7.4 |
| December | 0.4% | -6.9 |
| Average | 2.2% |
Data source
Data from WorldBank. Last updated: 06/01/2026.