Inflation Sri Lanka 2019
Average inflation: 3.5%
Current Inflation
Inflation is high at 3.5%, well above the ECB target.
Peak and Trough
The highest inflation was in December at 6.2%. The lowest inflation was in January at 1.2%.
- Highest month
- December: 6.2%
- Lowest month
- January: 1.2%
- Difference
- 5.0 percentage points
- Months with data
- 12 of 12
Category Insights
The highest price increase was in Energy with an average of 8.0%. The lowest price increase was in Food with an average of 0.7%.
- Highest increase
- Energy: 8.0%
- Lowest increase
- Food: 0.7%
Historical Context
Current inflation is 0.7% lower than the 5-year average of 4.2%.
- 5-year average
- 4.2%
- 10-year average
- 5.1%
- All-time high (2017)
- 7.7%
- All-time low (2018)
- 2.2%
Trend
Inflation shows a downward trend. Compared to 2018, inflation has fallen by +1.3 percentage point.
- Change vs. previous year
- +1.3 percentage points
- Largest monthly swing
- December: +5.8 percentage points
ECB Target
Inflation is 1.5% 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 €103.50 next year at this inflation rate.
Multi-year trend
Monthly figures 2019
Month overview
| Month | Inflation | Difference vs. 2018 |
|---|---|---|
| January | 1.2% | -4.2 |
| February | 2.4% | -0.8 |
| March | 2.9% | +0.1 |
| April | 3.6% | +2.0 |
| May | 3.5% | +1.4 |
| June | 2.1% | -0.4 |
| July | 2.2% | -1.2 |
| August | 3.4% | +0.9 |
| September | 5.0% | +4.1 |
| October | 5.6% | +5.5 |
| November | 4.1% | +3.1 |
| December | 6.2% | +5.8 |
| Average | 3.5% |
Data source
Data from WorldBank. Last updated: 06/01/2026.