Inflation Poland 1996

Average inflation: 19.9%

Current Inflation

Inflation is very high at 19.9%, far above the ECB target.

Peak and Trough

The highest inflation was in January at 21.0%. The lowest inflation was in December at 18.5%.

Highest month
January: 21.0%
Lowest month
December: 18.5%
Difference
2.5 percentage points
Months with data
12 of 12

Category Insights

The highest price increase was in Food and non-alcoholic beverages with an average of 17.7%. The lowest price increase was in Food and non-alcoholic beverages with an average of 17.7%.

Highest increase
Food and non-alcoholic beverages: 17.7%
Lowest increase
Food and non-alcoholic beverages: 17.7%

Historical Context

Current inflation is 11.8% lower than the 5-year average of 31.7%. This approaches the lowest level since records began (19.9% in 1996).

5-year average
31.7%
10-year average
38.4%
All-time high (1991)
71.6%
All-time low (1996)
19.9%

Trend

Inflation shows a downward trend. Compared to 1995, inflation has fallen by +8.2 percentage point.

Change vs. previous year
-8.2 percentage points
Largest monthly swing
February: -13.2 percentage points

ECB Target

Inflation is 17.9% 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 €119.90 next year at this inflation rate.

Multi-year trend

Monthly figures 1996

Inflation by category

Food and non-alcoholic beverages
17.7%
-2.2vs avg.
More details →

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

Month overview

Month Inflation Difference vs. 1995
January 21.0% -11.3
February 20.4% -13.2
March 20.4% -12.7
April 20.3% -12.1
May 19.8% -12.5
June 19.5% -10.8
July 20.4% -7.2
August 20.5% -5.2
September 19.5% -4.7
October 19.5% -2.9
November 19.1% -2.9
December 18.5% -3.1
Average 19.9%

Data source

Data from OECD. Last updated: 17/12/2025.

See also