Inflation United States 1980

Average inflation: 13.6%

Current Inflation

Inflation is very high at 13.6%, far above the ECB target.

Peak and Trough

The highest inflation was in March at 14.8%. The lowest inflation was in December at 12.5%.

Highest month
March: 14.8%
Lowest month
December: 12.5%
Difference
2.3 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 8.0%. The lowest price increase was in Food and non-alcoholic beverages with an average of 8.0%.

Highest increase
Food and non-alcoholic beverages: 8.0%
Lowest increase
Food and non-alcoholic beverages: 8.0%

Historical Context

Current inflation is 1.2% higher than the 5-year average of 12.4%. This approaches the highest level since records began (13.6% in 1980).

5-year average
12.4%
10-year average
12.4%
All-time high (1980)
13.6%
All-time low (1979)
11.2%

Trend

Inflation shows an upward trend. Compared to 1979, inflation has risen by +2.4 percentage point.

Change vs. previous year
+2.4 percentage points
Largest monthly swing
March: +4.7 percentage points

ECB Target

Inflation is 11.6% 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 €113.60 next year at this inflation rate.

Multi-year trend

Monthly figures 1980

Inflation by category

Food and non-alcoholic beverages
8.0%
-5.6vs avg.
More details →

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

Month overview

Month Inflation Difference vs. 1979
January 13.9% +4.6
February 14.2% +4.3
March 14.8% +4.7
April 14.7% +4.2
May 14.4% +3.5
June 14.4% +3.5
July 13.1% +1.8
August 12.9% +1.1
September 12.6% +0.4
October 12.8% +0.7
November 12.6% 0.0
December 12.5% -0.8
Average 13.6%

Data source

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

See also