Inflation Zambia 2018
Average inflation: 7.5%
Current Inflation
Inflation is very high at 7.5%, far above the ECB target.
Peak and Trough
The highest inflation was in October at 8.3%. The lowest inflation was in February at 6.1%.
- Highest month
- October: 8.3%
- Lowest month
- February: 6.1%
- Difference
- 2.2 percentage points
- Months with data
- 12 of 12
Category Insights
The highest price increase was in Energy with an average of 11.5%. The lowest price increase was in Food with an average of 7.1%.
- Highest increase
- Energy: 11.5%
- Lowest increase
- Food: 7.1%
Historical Context
Current inflation is 2.5% lower than the 5-year average of 10.0%.
- 5-year average
- 10%
- 10-year average
- 8.8%
- All-time high (2016)
- 18.2%
- All-time low (2011)
- 6.4%
Trend
Inflation shows a downward trend. Compared to 2017, inflation has fallen by +0.9 percentage point.
- Change vs. previous year
- +0.9 percentage points
- Largest monthly swing
- October: +1.9 percentage points
ECB Target
Inflation is 5.5% above the ECB target of 2.0%. This means purchasing power is declining faster than intended.
Purchasing Power
At this high inflation rate, purchasing power rapidly decreases. This has a major impact on households, especially without adequate salary increases.
What you could buy for €100 this year will cost approximately €107.50 next year at this inflation rate.
Multi-year trend
Monthly figures 2018
Month overview
| Month | Inflation | Difference vs. 2017 |
|---|---|---|
| January | 6.2% | -0.8 |
| February | 6.1% | -0.7 |
| March | 7.1% | +0.4 |
| April | 7.4% | +0.7 |
| May | 7.8% | +1.3 |
| June | 7.4% | +0.6 |
| July | 7.8% | +1.2 |
| August | 8.1% | +1.8 |
| September | 7.9% | +1.3 |
| October | 8.3% | +1.9 |
| November | 7.8% | +1.5 |
| December | 7.9% | +1.8 |
| Average | 7.5% |
Data source
Data from WorldBank. Last updated: 06/01/2026.