Inflation Sri Lanka 2023
Average inflation: 19.8%
Current Inflation
Inflation is very high at 19.8%, far above the ECB target.
Peak and Trough
The highest inflation was in February at 53.6%. The lowest inflation was in September at 0.8%.
- Highest month
- February: 53.6%
- Lowest month
- September: 0.8%
- Difference
- 52.8 percentage points
- Months with data
- 12 of 12
Category Insights
The highest price increase was in Energy with an average of 23.3%. The lowest price increase was in Food with an average of 14.3%.
- Highest increase
- Energy: 23.3%
- Lowest increase
- Food: 14.3%
Historical Context
Current inflation is 2.6% higher than the 5-year average of 17.2%.
- 5-year average
- 17.2%
- 10-year average
- 14.7%
- All-time high (2022)
- 49.3%
- All-time low (2018)
- 2.2%
Trend
Inflation shows an upward trend. Compared to 2022, inflation has risen by -29.5 percentage point.
- Change vs. previous year
- -29.5 percentage points
- Largest monthly swing
- September: -71.7 percentage points
ECB Target
Inflation is 17.8% 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 €119.80 next year at this inflation rate.
Multi-year trend
Monthly figures 2023
Month overview
| Month | Inflation | Difference vs. 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| January | 53.2% | +36.4 |
| February | 53.6% | +36.3 |
| March | 49.2% | +27.4 |
| April | 33.6% | -0.9 |
| May | 22.1% | -23.9 |
| June | 10.8% | -47.9 |
| July | 4.6% | -61.4 |
| August | 2.1% | -67.3 |
| September | 0.8% | -71.7 |
| October | 1.0% | -67.7 |
| November | 2.8% | -59.8 |
| December | 4.2% | -52.7 |
| Average | 19.8% |
Data source
Data from WorldBank. Last updated: 06/01/2026.