Inflation United States 1998
Average inflation: 1.6%
Current Inflation
Inflation is low at 1.6%, below the ECB target of 2%.
Peak and Trough
The highest inflation was in May at 1.7%. The lowest inflation was in February at 1.4%.
- Highest month
- May: 1.7%
- Lowest month
- February: 1.4%
- Difference
- 0.3 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 1.9%. The lowest price increase was in Food and non-alcoholic beverages with an average of 1.9%.
- Highest increase
- Food and non-alcoholic beverages: 1.9%
- Lowest increase
- Food and non-alcoholic beverages: 1.9%
Historical Context
Current inflation is 0.8% lower than the 5-year average of 2.4%. This approaches the lowest level since records began (1.6% in 1998).
- 5-year average
- 2.4%
- 10-year average
- 3.3%
- All-time high (1980)
- 13.6%
- All-time low (1998)
- 1.6%
Trend
Inflation shows a downward trend. Compared to 1997, inflation has fallen by +0.7 percentage point.
- Change vs. previous year
- -0.7 percentage points
- Largest monthly swing
- February: -1.6 percentage points
ECB Target
Inflation is 0.4% below the ECB target of 2.0%. Too low inflation may indicate economic weakness.
Purchasing Power
At this inflation rate, purchasing power gradually decreases. The impact on daily expenses is relatively limited.
What you could buy for €100 this year will cost approximately €101.60 next year at this inflation rate.
Multi-year trend
Monthly figures 1998
Inflation by category
Inflation differs per product group. Click on a category for the historical trend.
Month overview
| Month | Inflation | Difference vs. 1997 |
|---|---|---|
| January | 1.6% | -1.4 |
| February | 1.4% | -1.6 |
| March | 1.4% | -1.4 |
| April | 1.4% | -1.1 |
| May | 1.7% | -0.5 |
| June | 1.7% | -0.6 |
| July | 1.7% | -0.5 |
| August | 1.6% | -0.6 |
| September | 1.5% | -0.7 |
| October | 1.5% | -0.6 |
| November | 1.5% | -0.3 |
| December | 1.6% | -0.1 |
| Average | 1.6% |
Data source
Data from OECD. Last updated: 17/12/2025.