Inflation United States 1990
Average inflation: 5.4%
Current Inflation
Inflation is very high at 5.4%, far above the ECB target.
Peak and Trough
The highest inflation was in October at 6.3%. The lowest inflation was in May at 4.4%.
- Highest month
- October: 6.3%
- Lowest month
- May: 4.4%
- Difference
- 1.9 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 6.6%. The lowest price increase was in Food and non-alcoholic beverages with an average of 6.6%.
- Highest increase
- Food and non-alcoholic beverages: 6.6%
- Lowest increase
- Food and non-alcoholic beverages: 6.6%
Historical Context
Current inflation is 1.4% higher than the 5-year average of 4.0%.
- 5-year average
- 4%
- 10-year average
- 4.8%
- All-time high (1980)
- 13.6%
- All-time low (1986)
- 1.9%
Trend
Inflation shows an upward trend. Compared to 1989, inflation has risen by +0.6 percentage point.
- Change vs. previous year
- +0.6 percentage points
- Largest monthly swing
- September: +1.9 percentage points
ECB Target
Inflation is 3.4% 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 €105.40 next year at this inflation rate.
Multi-year trend
Monthly figures 1990
Inflation by category
Inflation differs per product group. Click on a category for the historical trend.
Month overview
| Month | Inflation | Difference vs. 1989 |
|---|---|---|
| January | 5.2% | +0.5 |
| February | 5.3% | +0.5 |
| March | 5.2% | +0.2 |
| April | 4.7% | -0.4 |
| May | 4.4% | -1.0 |
| June | 4.7% | -0.5 |
| July | 4.8% | -0.2 |
| August | 5.6% | +0.9 |
| September | 6.2% | +1.9 |
| October | 6.3% | +1.8 |
| November | 6.3% | +1.6 |
| December | 6.1% | +1.5 |
| Average | 5.4% |
Data source
Data from OECD. Last updated: 17/12/2025.