U.S. inflation rate for 2023 was 4.13%, a 3.88% decline from 2022.

<ul style='margin-top:20px;'>

<li>U.S. inflation rate for 2022 was <strong>8.00%</strong>, a <strong>3.3% increase</strong> from 2021.</li>
<li>U.S. inflation rate for 2021 was <strong>4.70%</strong>, a <strong>3.46% increase</strong> from 2020.</li>
<li>U.S. inflation rate for 2020 was <strong>1.23%</strong>, a <strong>0.58% decline</strong> from 2019.</li>
</ul>Inflation as measured by the consumer price index reflects the annual percentage change in the cost to the average consumer of acquiring a basket of goods and services that may be fixed or changed at specified intervals, such as yearly. The Laspeyres formula is generally used.

In economics, the inflation rate is a measure of the change in price of a basket of goods. The most common measure being the consumer price index. It is the percentage rate of change in price level over time, and also indicates the rate of decrease in the purchasing power of money. The annual rate of inflation for 2023, was 4.1 percent higher in the United States when compared to the previous year. More information on inflation and the consumer price index can be found on our dedicated topic page. Additionally, the monthly rate of inflation in the United States can be accessed here. Inflation and purchasing power Inflation is a key economic indicator, and gives economists and consumers alike a look at changes in prices in the wider economy. For example, if an average pair of socks costs 100 dollars one year and 105 dollars the following year, the inflation rate is five percent. This means the amount of goods an individual can purchase with a unit of currency has decreased. This concept is often referred to as purchasing power. The data presents the average rate of inflation in a year, whereas the monthly measure of inflation measures the change in prices compared with prices one year ago. For example, monthly inflation in the U.S. reached a peak in June 2022 at 9.1 percent. This means that prices were 9.1 percent higher than they were in June of 2021. The purchasing power is the extent to which a person has available funds to make purchases. The Big Mac Index has been published by The Economist since 1986 and exemplifies purchasing power on a global scale, allowing us to see note the differences between different countries currencies. Switzerland for example, has the most expensive Big Mac in the world, costing consumers 6.71 U.S. dollars as of July 2022, whereas a Big Mac cost 5.15 dollars in the United States, and 4.77 dollars in the Euro area. One of the most important tools in influencing the rate of inflation is interest rates. The Federal Reserve of the United States has the capacity to make changes to the federal interest rate . Changes to the rate of inflation are thought to be an imbalance between supply and demand. After COVID-19 related lockdowns came to an end there was a sudden increase in demand for goods and services with consumers having more funds than usual thanks to reduced spending during lockdown and government funded economic support. Additionally, supply-chain related bottlenecks also due to lockdowns around the world and the Russian invasion of Ukraine meant that there was a decrease in the supply of goods and services. By increasing the interest rate, the Federal Reserve aims to reduce spending, and thus bring demand back into balance with supply.

Graph and download economic data for Inflation, consumer prices for the United States (FPCPITOTLZGUSA) from 1960 to 2024 about consumer, CPI, inflation, price index, indexes, price, and USA.

Inflation is generally defined as the continued increase in the average prices of goods and services in a given region. Following the extremely high global inflation experienced in the 1980s and 1990s, global inflation has been relatively stable since the turn of the millennium, usually hovering between three and five percent per year. There was a sharp increase in 2008 due to the global financial crisis now known as the Great Recession, but inflation was fairly stable throughout the 2010s, before the current inflation crisis began in 2021. Recent years Despite the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic, the global inflation rate fell to 3.26 percent in the pandemic's first year, before rising to 4.66 percent in 2021. This increase came as the impact of supply chain delays began to take more of an effect on consumer prices, before the Russia-Ukraine war exacerbated this further. A series of compounding issues such as rising energy and food prices, fiscal instability in the wake of the pandemic, and consumer insecurity have created a new global recession, and global inflation in 2024 is estimated to have reached 5.76 percent. This is the highest annual increase in inflation since 1996. Venezuela Venezuela is the country with the highest individual inflation rate in the world, forecast at around 200 percent in 2022. While this is figure is over 100 times larger than the global average in most years, it actually marks a decrease in Venezuela's inflation rate, which had peaked at over 65,000 percent in 2018. Between 2016 and 2021, Venezuela experienced hyperinflation due to the government's excessive spending and printing of money in an attempt to curve its already-high inflation rate, and the wave of migrants that left the country resulted in one of the largest refugee crises in recent years. In addition to its economic problems, political instability and foreign sanctions pose further long-term problems for Venezuela. While hyperinflation may be coming to an end, it remains to be seen how much of an impact this will have on the economy, how living standards will change, and how many refugees may return in the coming years.

Inflation Rate in Brazil increased to 5.35 percent in June from 5.32 percent in May of 2025. This dataset provides - Brazil Inflation Rate - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

United States CSI: Expected Inflation: Next Yr: Up by 1-2% data was reported at 29.000 % in May 2018. This stayed constant from the previous number of 29.000 % for Apr 2018. United States CSI: Expected Inflation: Next Yr: Up by 1-2% data is updated monthly, averaging 18.000 % from Jan 1978 (Median) to May 2018, with 485 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 34.000 % in Oct 2016 and a record low of 1.000 % in May 1980. United States CSI: Expected Inflation: Next Yr: Up by 1-2% data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by University of Michigan. The data is categorized under Global Database’s USA – Table US.H030: Consumer Sentiment Index: Unemployment, Interest Rates, Prices and Government Expectations. The questions were: 'During the next 12 months, do you think that prices in general will go up, or go down, or stay where they are now?' and 'By what percent do you expect prices to go up, on the average, during the next 12 months?'

Real interest rates describe the growth in the real value of the interest on a loan or deposit, adjusted for inflation. Nominal interest rates on the other hand show us the raw interest rate, which is unadjusted for inflation. If the inflation rate in a certain country were zero percent, the real and nominal interest rates would be the same number. As inflation reduces the real value of a loan, however, a positive inflation rate will mean that the nominal interest rate is more likely to be greater than the real interest rate. We can see this in the recent inflationary episode which has taken place in the wake of the Coronavirus pandemic, with nominal interest rates rising over the course of 2022, but still lagging far behind the rate of inflation, meaning these rate rises register as smaller increases in the real interest rate.

United States FRB Dallas: Trimmed Mean PCE Inflation Rate: Six Month data was reported at 1.890 % in Oct 2018. This records a decrease from the previous number of 1.910 % for Sep 2018. United States FRB Dallas: Trimmed Mean PCE Inflation Rate: Six Month data is updated monthly, averaging 2.410 % from Jul 1977 (Median) to Oct 2018, with 496 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 9.170 % in Mar 1980 and a record low of 0.630 % in Jul 2010. United States FRB Dallas: Trimmed Mean PCE Inflation Rate: Six Month data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas. The data is categorized under Global Database’s United States – Table US.I041: Trimmed Mean PCE Inflation Rate.

Graph and download economic data for Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: Purchasing Power of the Consumer Dollar in U.S. City Average (CUUR0000SA0R) from Jan 1913 to Jun 2025 about urban, consumer, CPI, inflation, price index, indexes, price, and USA.

United States FRB Dallas: Trimmed Mean PCE Inflation Rate: Twelve Month data was reported at 1.990 % in Sep 2018. This records a decrease from the previous number of 2.030 % for Aug 2018. United States FRB Dallas: Trimmed Mean PCE Inflation Rate: Twelve Month data is updated monthly, averaging 2.370 % from Jan 1978 (Median) to Sep 2018, with 489 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 8.720 % in Jun 1980 and a record low of 0.780 % in Oct 2010. United States FRB Dallas: Trimmed Mean PCE Inflation Rate: Twelve Month data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas. The data is categorized under Global Database’s United States – Table US.I041: Trimmed Mean PCE Inflation Rate.

Graph and download economic data for Trimmed Mean PCE Inflation Rate (PCETRIM6M680SFRBDAL) from Jul 1977 to May 2025 about trimmed mean, average, PCE, consumption expenditures, consumption, personal, inflation, rate, and USA.

During the period beginning roughly in the mid-1980s until the Global Financial Crisis (2007-2008), the U.S. economy experienced a time of relative economic calm, with low inflation and consistent GDP growth. Compared with the turbulent economic era which had preceded it in the 1970s and the early 1980s, the lack of extreme fluctuations in the business cycle led some commentators to suggest that macroeconomic issues such as high inflation, long-term unemployment and financial crises were a thing of the past. Indeed, the President of the American Economic Association, Professor Robert Lucas, famously proclaimed in 2003 that "central problem of depression prevention has been solved, for all practical purposes". Ben Bernanke, the future chairman of the Federal Reserve during the Global Financial Crisis (GFC) and 2022 Nobel Prize in Economics recipient, coined the term 'the Great Moderation' to describe this era of newfound economic confidence. The era came to an abrupt end with the outbreak of the GFC in the Summer of 2007, as the U.S. financial system began to crash due to a downturn in the real estate market.

Causes of the Great Moderation, and its downfall

A number of factors have been cited as contributing to the Great Moderation including central bank monetary policies, the shift from manufacturing to services in the economy, improvements in information technology and management practices, as well as reduced energy prices. The period coincided with the term of Fed chairman Alan Greenspan (1987-2006), famous for the 'Greenspan put', a policy which meant that the Fed would proactively address downturns in the stock market using its monetary policy tools. These economic factors came to prominence at the same time as the end of the Cold War (1947-1991), with the U.S. attaining a new level of hegemony in global politics, as its main geopolitical rival, the Soviet Union, no longer existed. During the Great Moderation, the U.S. experienced a recession twice, between July 1990 and March 1991, and again from March 2001 tom November 2001, however, these relatively short recessions did not knock the U.S. off its growth path. The build up of household and corporate debt over the early 2000s eventually led to the Global Financial Crisis, as the bursting of the U.S. housing bubble in 2007 reverberated across the financial system, with a subsequent credit freeze and mass defaults.

Graph and download economic data for Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: Professional Services in U.S. City Average (CUSR0000SEMC) from Jan 1980 to Jun 2025 about professional, urban, consumer, services, CPI, inflation, price index, indexes, price, and USA.

United States - Trimmed Mean PCE Inflation Rate was 2.54000 % Chg. from Yr. Ago in April of 2025, according to the United States Federal Reserve. Historically, United States - Trimmed Mean PCE Inflation Rate reached a record high of 8.72000 in June of 1980 and a record low of 0.80000 in October of 2010. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for United States - Trimmed Mean PCE Inflation Rate - last updated from the United States Federal Reserve on July of 2025.

United States - Trimmed Mean PCE Inflation Rate was 2.72000 6-Month Annualized % Chg. in April of 2025, according to the United States Federal Reserve. Historically, United States - Trimmed Mean PCE Inflation Rate reached a record high of 9.17000 in March of 1980 and a record low of 0.66000 in July of 2010. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for United States - Trimmed Mean PCE Inflation Rate - last updated from the United States Federal Reserve on July of 2025.

United States CSI: Expected Inflation: Next 5 Yrs: Standard Deviation data was reported at 2.500 % in May 2018. This stayed constant from the previous number of 2.500 % for Apr 2018. United States CSI: Expected Inflation: Next 5 Yrs: Standard Deviation data is updated monthly, averaging 3.200 % from Feb 1979 (Median) to May 2018, with 380 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 10.900 % in Feb 1980 and a record low of 2.200 % in Apr 1999. United States CSI: Expected Inflation: Next 5 Yrs: Standard Deviation data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by University of Michigan. The data is categorized under Global Database’s USA – Table US.H030: Consumer Sentiment Index: Unemployment, Interest Rates, Prices and Government Expectations. The questions were: 'What about the outlook for prices over the next 5 to 10 years? Do you think prices will be higher, to go up, on the average, during the next 12 months?' and 'By about what percent per year do you expect prices to go up or down, on the average, during the next 5 to 10 years?'

Inflation Rate in China increased to 0.10 percent in June from -0.10 percent in May of 2025. This dataset provides - China Inflation Rate - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

The average for 2025 based on 20 countries was 18.78 percent. The highest value was in Venezuela: 254.35 percent and the lowest value was in Panama: 0.7 percent. The indicator is available from 1980 to 2030. Below is a chart for all countries where data are available.

Inflation, consumer prices for the United States was 2.95% in January of 2024, according to the United States Federal Reserve. Historically, Inflation, consumer prices for the United States reached a record high of 13.55 in January of 1980 and a record low of -0.36 in January of 2009. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for Inflation, consumer prices for the United States - last updated from the United States Federal Reserve on July of 2025.

In March 2025, inflation amounted to 2.4 percent, while wages grew by 4.3 percent. The inflation rate has not exceeded the rate of wage growth since January 2023. Inflation in 2022 The high rates of inflation in 2022 meant that the real terms value of American wages took a hit. Many Americans report feelings of concern over the economy and a worsening of their financial situation. The inflation situation in the United States is one that was experienced globally in 2022, mainly due to COVID-19 related supply chain constraints and disruption due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The monthly inflation rate for the U.S. reached a 40-year high in June 2022 at 9.1 percent, and annual inflation for 2022 reached eight percent. Without appropriate wage increases, Americans will continue to see a decline in their purchasing power. Wages in the U.S. Despite the level of wage growth reaching 6.7 percent in the summer of 2022, it has not been enough to curb the impact of even higher inflation rates. The federally mandated minimum wage in the United States has not increased since 2009, meaning that individuals working minimum wage jobs have taken a real terms pay cut for the last twelve years. There are discrepancies between states - the minimum wage in California can be as high as 15.50 U.S. dollars per hour, while a business in Oklahoma may be as low as two U.S. dollars per hour. However, even the higher wage rates in states like California and Washington may be lacking - one analysis found that if minimum wage had kept up with productivity, the minimum hourly wage in the U.S. should have been 22.88 dollars per hour in 2021. Additionally, the impact of decreased purchasing power due to inflation will impact different parts of society in different ways with stark contrast in average wages due to both gender and race.