Inflation Sri Lanka 2018
Average inflation: 2.2%
Inflation in 2018
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
Inflation is 2.0 percentage points 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
Over the period 2016-2018, inflation shows a downward trend. Compared to 2017, inflation has fallen by 5.5 percentage points.
- 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 LKR 100 this year will cost approximately LKR 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.