Inflation Sri Lanka 2022
Average inflation: 49.3%
Current Inflation
Inflation is very high at 49.3%, far above the ECB target.
Peak and Trough
The highest inflation was in September at 72.5%. The lowest inflation was in January at 16.8%.
- Highest month
- September: 72.5%
- Lowest month
- January: 16.8%
- Difference
- 55.7 percentage points
- Months with data
- 12 of 12
Category Insights
The highest price increase was in Food with an average of 59.9%. The lowest price increase was in Energy with an average of 18.8%.
- Highest increase
- Food: 59.9%
- Lowest increase
- Energy: 18.8%
Historical Context
Current inflation is 35.7% higher than the 5-year average of 13.6%. This approaches the highest level since records began (49.3% in 2022).
- 5-year average
- 13.6%
- 10-year average
- 9.4%
- All-time high (2022)
- 49.3%
- All-time low (2018)
- 2.2%
Trend
Inflation shows an upward trend. Compared to 2021, inflation has risen by +42.3 percentage point.
- Change vs. previous year
- +42.3 percentage points
- Largest monthly swing
- September: +66.3 percentage points
ECB Target
Inflation is 47.3% 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 €149.30 next year at this inflation rate.
Multi-year trend
Monthly figures 2022
Month overview
| Month | Inflation | Difference vs. 2021 |
|---|---|---|
| January | 16.8% | +13.1 |
| February | 17.3% | +13.1 |
| March | 21.8% | +16.7 |
| April | 34.5% | +29.0 |
| May | 46.0% | +39.9 |
| June | 58.7% | +52.6 |
| July | 66.0% | +59.2 |
| August | 69.4% | +62.7 |
| September | 72.5% | +66.3 |
| October | 68.7% | +60.4 |
| November | 62.6% | +51.5 |
| December | 56.9% | +42.9 |
| Average | 49.3% |
Data source
Data from WorldBank. Last updated: 06/01/2026.