Inflation United States 2018
Average inflation: 2.4%
Current Inflation
Inflation is normal at 2.4%, around the ECB target.
Peak and Trough
The highest inflation was in June at 2.9%. The lowest inflation was in December at 1.9%.
- Highest month
- June: 2.9%
- Lowest month
- December: 1.9%
- Difference
- 1.0 percentage points
- Months with data
- 12 of 12
Category Insights
The highest price increase was in Transport with an average of 4.0%. The lowest price increase was in Communication with an average of -1.2%.
- Highest increase
- Transport: 4.0%
- Lowest increase
- Communication: -1.2%
Historical Context
Current inflation is 0.9% higher than the 5-year average of 1.5%.
- 5-year average
- 1.5%
- 10-year average
- 1.6%
- All-time high (2008)
- 3.9%
- All-time low (2009)
- -0.3%
Trend
Inflation shows an upward trend. Compared to 2017, inflation has risen by +0.3 percentage point.
- Change vs. previous year
- +0.3 percentage points
- Largest monthly swing
- June: +1.3 percentage points
ECB Target
Inflation is 0.4% 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 €102.40 next year at this inflation rate.
Multi-year trend
Monthly figures 2018
Inflation by category
Inflation differs per product group. Click on a category for the historical trend.
Month overview
| Month | Inflation | Difference vs. 2017 |
|---|---|---|
| January | 2.1% | -0.4 |
| February | 2.2% | -0.5 |
| March | 2.4% | 0.0 |
| April | 2.5% | +0.3 |
| May | 2.8% | +0.9 |
| June | 2.9% | +1.3 |
| July | 2.9% | +1.2 |
| August | 2.7% | +0.8 |
| September | 2.3% | +0.1 |
| October | 2.5% | +0.5 |
| November | 2.2% | 0.0 |
| December | 1.9% | -0.2 |
| Average | 2.4% |
Data source
Data from OECD. Last updated: 11/01/2026.