Inflation Latvia 1996

Average inflation: 17.7%

Current Inflation

Inflation is very high at 17.7%, far above the ECB target.

Peak and Trough

The highest inflation was in January at 23.2%. The lowest inflation was in December at 13.1%.

Highest month
January: 23.2%
Lowest month
December: 13.1%
Difference
10.1 percentage points
Months with data
12 of 12

Category Insights

The highest price increase was in Communication with an average of 39.8%. The lowest price increase was in Miscellaneous goods and services with an average of 9.8%.

Highest increase
Communication: 39.8%
Lowest increase
Miscellaneous goods and services: 9.8%

Historical Context

Current inflation is 213.2% lower than the 5-year average of 230.9%. This approaches the lowest level since records began (17.7% in 1996).

5-year average
230.9%
10-year average
230.9%
All-time high (1992)
900.2%
All-time low (1996)
17.7%

Trend

Inflation shows a downward trend. Compared to 1995, inflation has fallen by +7.3 percentage point.

Change vs. previous year
-7.3 percentage points
Largest monthly swing
December: -10.0 percentage points

ECB Target

Inflation is 15.7% 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 €117.70 next year at this inflation rate.

Multi-year trend

Monthly figures 1996

Inflation by category

Food and non-alcoholic beverages
12.5%
-5.2vs avg.
More details →
Alcoholic beverages, tobacco and narcotics
15.7%
-2.0vs avg.
More details →
Clothing and footwear
23.8%
+6.1vs avg.
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Housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels
27.6%
+9.9vs avg.
More details →
Furnishings, household equipment and maintenance
17.3%
-0.4vs avg.
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Health
22.4%
+4.7vs avg.
More details →
Transport
21.5%
+3.8vs avg.
More details →
Communication
39.8%
+22.1vs avg.
More details →
Recreation and culture
23.4%
+5.7vs avg.
More details →
Education
17.8%
+0.1vs avg.
More details →
Restaurants and hotels
14.8%
-2.9vs avg.
More details →
Miscellaneous goods and services
9.8%
-7.9vs avg.
More details →

Inflation differs per product group. Click on a category for the historical trend.

Month overview

Month Inflation Difference vs. 1995
January 23.2% -2.7
February 21.5% -4.1
March 20.2% -6.4
April 18.5% -7.2
May 17.4% -9.8
June 17.6% -8.9
July 17.7% -7.7
August 17.5% -5.2
September 16.1% -7.6
October 15.7% -8.3
November 14.4% -9.6
December 13.1% -10.0
Average 17.7%

Data source

Data from OECD. Last updated: 11/01/2026.

See also