Inflation United States 2008
Average inflation: 3.9%
Current Inflation
Inflation is high at 3.9%, well above the ECB target.
Peak and Trough
The highest inflation was in July at 5.6%. The lowest inflation was in December at 0.1%.
- Highest month
- July: 5.6%
- Lowest month
- December: 0.1%
- Difference
- 5.5 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 6.4%. The lowest price increase was in Food and non-alcoholic beverages with an average of 6.4%.
- Highest increase
- Food and non-alcoholic beverages: 6.4%
- Lowest increase
- Food and non-alcoholic beverages: 6.4%
Historical Context
Current inflation is 0.7% higher than the 5-year average of 3.2%.
- 5-year average
- 3.2%
- 10-year average
- 2.8%
- All-time high (1990)
- 5.4%
- All-time low (2002)
- 1.6%
Trend
Inflation has remained relatively stable. Compared to 2007, the difference is minimal (+1.0 percentage point).
- Change vs. previous year
- +1.0 percentage points
- Largest monthly swing
- December: -4.0 percentage points
ECB Target
Inflation is 1.9% above the ECB target of 2.0%. This means purchasing power is declining faster than intended.
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 €103.90 next year at this inflation rate.
Multi-year trend
Monthly figures 2008
Inflation by category
Inflation differs per product group. Click on a category for the historical trend.
Month overview
| Month | Inflation | Difference vs. 2007 |
|---|---|---|
| January | 4.3% | +2.2 |
| February | 4.0% | +1.6 |
| March | 4.0% | +1.2 |
| April | 3.9% | +1.3 |
| May | 4.2% | +1.5 |
| June | 5.0% | +2.3 |
| July | 5.6% | +3.2 |
| August | 5.4% | +3.4 |
| September | 4.9% | +2.1 |
| October | 3.7% | +0.2 |
| November | 1.1% | -3.2 |
| December | 0.1% | -4.0 |
| Average | 3.9% |
Data source
Data from OECD. Last updated: 17/12/2025.