Inflation United States 2021
Average inflation: 4.7%
Current Inflation
Inflation is high at 4.7%, well above the ECB target.
Peak and Trough
The highest inflation was in December at 7.0%. The lowest inflation was in January at 1.4%.
- Highest month
- December: 7.0%
- Lowest month
- January: 1.4%
- Difference
- 5.6 percentage points
- Months with data
- 12 of 12
Category Insights
The highest price increase was in Transport with an average of 15.9%. The lowest price increase was in Miscellaneous goods and services with an average of 1.2%.
- Highest increase
- Transport: 15.9%
- Lowest increase
- Miscellaneous goods and services: 1.2%
Historical Context
Current inflation is 2.3% higher than the 5-year average of 2.4%. This approaches the highest level since records began (4.7% in 2021).
- 5-year average
- 2.4%
- 10-year average
- 1.9%
- All-time high (2021)
- 4.7%
- All-time low (2009)
- -0.3%
Trend
Inflation shows an upward trend. Compared to 2020, inflation has risen by +3.5 percentage point.
- Change vs. previous year
- +3.5 percentage points
- Largest monthly swing
- November: +5.6 percentage points
ECB Target
Inflation is 2.7% 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 €104.70 next year at this inflation rate.
Multi-year trend
Monthly figures 2021
Inflation by category
Inflation differs per product group. Click on a category for the historical trend.
Month overview
| Month | Inflation | Difference vs. 2020 |
|---|---|---|
| January | 1.4% | -1.1 |
| February | 1.7% | -0.6 |
| March | 2.6% | +1.1 |
| April | 4.2% | +3.9 |
| May | 5.0% | +4.9 |
| June | 5.4% | +4.8 |
| July | 5.4% | +4.4 |
| August | 5.3% | +4.0 |
| September | 5.4% | +4.0 |
| October | 6.2% | +5.0 |
| November | 6.8% | +5.6 |
| December | 7.0% | +5.6 |
| Average | 4.7% |
Data source
Data from OECD. Last updated: 11/01/2026.