Inflation United States 1997
Average inflation: 2.3%
Current Inflation
Inflation is normal at 2.3%, around the ECB target.
Peak and Trough
The highest inflation was in January at 3.0%. The lowest inflation was in December at 1.7%.
- Highest month
- January: 3.0%
- Lowest month
- December: 1.7%
- Difference
- 1.3 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 2.5%. The lowest price increase was in Food and non-alcoholic beverages with an average of 2.5%.
- Highest increase
- Food and non-alcoholic beverages: 2.5%
- Lowest increase
- Food and non-alcoholic beverages: 2.5%
Historical Context
Current inflation is around the 5-year average of 2.7%.
- 5-year average
- 2.7%
- 10-year average
- 3.5%
- All-time high (1980)
- 13.6%
- All-time low (1986)
- 1.9%
Trend
Inflation has remained relatively stable. Compared to 1996, the difference is minimal (-0.6 percentage point).
- Change vs. previous year
- -0.6 percentage points
- Largest monthly swing
- December: -1.6 percentage points
ECB Target
Inflation is close to the ECB target of 2.0%.
Purchasing Power
At this inflation rate, purchasing power noticeably decreases. Without a salary increase, you can buy less with the same money.
What you could buy for €100 this year will cost approximately €102.30 next year at this inflation rate.
Multi-year trend
Monthly figures 1997
Inflation by category
Inflation differs per product group. Click on a category for the historical trend.
Month overview
| Month | Inflation | Difference vs. 1996 |
|---|---|---|
| January | 3.0% | +0.3 |
| February | 3.0% | +0.3 |
| March | 2.8% | 0.0 |
| April | 2.5% | -0.4 |
| May | 2.2% | -0.7 |
| June | 2.3% | -0.5 |
| July | 2.2% | -0.8 |
| August | 2.2% | -0.7 |
| September | 2.2% | -0.8 |
| October | 2.1% | -0.9 |
| November | 1.8% | -1.5 |
| December | 1.7% | -1.6 |
| Average | 2.3% |
Data source
Data from OECD. Last updated: 17/12/2025.