The U.S. federal funds effective rate underwent a dramatic reduction in early 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The rate plummeted from 1.58 percent in February 2020 to 0.65 percent in March, and further decreased to 0.05 percent in April. This sharp reduction, accompanied by the Federal Reserve's quantitative easing program, was implemented to stabilize the economy during the global health crisis. After maintaining historically low rates for nearly two years, the Federal Reserve began a series of rate hikes in early 2022, with the rate moving from 0.33 percent in April 2022 to 5.33 percent in August 2023. The rate remained unchanged for over a year, before the Federal Reserve initiated its first rate cut in nearly three years in September 2024, bringing the rate to 5.13 percent. By December 2024, the rate was cut to 4.48 percent, signaling a shift in monetary policy in the second half of 2024. In January 2025, the Federal Reserve implemented another cut, setting the rate at 4.33 percent, which remained unchanged throughout the following months. What is the federal funds effective rate? The U.S. federal funds effective rate determines the interest rate paid by depository institutions, such as banks and credit unions, that lend reserve balances to other depository institutions overnight. Changing the effective rate in times of crisis is a common way to stimulate the economy, as it has a significant impact on the whole economy, such as economic growth, employment, and inflation. Central bank policy rates The adjustment of interest rates in response to the COVID-19 pandemic was a coordinated global effort. In early 2020, central banks worldwide implemented aggressive monetary easing policies to combat the economic crisis. The U.S. Federal Reserve's dramatic reduction of its federal funds rate - from 1.58 percent in February 2020 to 0.05 percent by April - mirrored similar actions taken by central banks globally. While these low rates remained in place throughout 2021, mounting inflationary pressures led to a synchronized tightening cycle beginning in 2022, with central banks pushing rates to multi-year highs. By mid-2024, as inflation moderated across major economies, central banks began implementing their first rate cuts in several years, with the U.S. Federal Reserve, Bank of England, and European Central Bank all easing monetary policy.

The U.S. federal funds rate peaked in 2023 at its highest level since the 2007-08 financial crisis, reaching 5.33 percent by December 2023. A significant shift in monetary policy occurred in the second half of 2024, with the Federal Reserve implementing regular rate cuts. By December 2024, the rate had declined to 4.48 percent. What is a central bank rate? The federal funds rate determines the cost of overnight borrowing between banks, allowing them to maintain necessary cash reserves and ensure financial system liquidity. When this rate rises, banks become more inclined to hold rather than lend money, reducing the money supply. While this decreased lending slows economic activity, it helps control inflation by limiting the circulation of money in the economy. Historic perspective The federal funds rate historically follows cyclical patterns, falling during recessions and gradually rising during economic recoveries. Some central banks, notably the European Central Bank, went beyond traditional monetary policy by implementing both aggressive asset purchases and negative interest rates.

Graph and download economic data for 10-Year Real Interest Rate (REAINTRATREARAT10Y) from Jan 1982 to Aug 2025 about 10-year, interest rate, interest, real, rate, and USA.

View data of the Effective Federal Funds Rate, or the interest rate depository institutions charge each other for overnight loans of funds.

Graph and download economic data for Interest Rates, Discount Rate for United States (INTDSRUSM193N) from Jan 1950 to Aug 2021 about discount, interest rate, interest, rate, and USA.

While interest rates in the United States declined ***** times by late 2024, average credit card interest rates did not immediately follow suit. This reveals itself when comparing the Federal Reserve interest rate against the APR, or annual percentage rates, of credit cards issued by commercial banks. The APR reached a record high in the country in 2024, likely adding to the growing credit card debt in the United States. This was below the APR of credit cards in a country like Brazil, however. It is expected that the credit card interest rates will continue to need time to catch up with the Fed interest rate.

From 2003 to 2025, the central banks of the United States, United Kingdom, and European Union exhibited remarkably similar interest rate patterns, reflecting shared global economic conditions. In the early 2000s, rates were initially low to stimulate growth, then increased as economies showed signs of overheating prior to 2008. The financial crisis that year prompted sharp rate cuts to near-zero levels, which persisted for an extended period to support economic recovery. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 led to further rate reductions to historic lows, aiming to mitigate economic fallout. However, surging inflation in 2022 triggered a dramatic policy shift, with the Federal Reserve, Bank of England, and European Central Bank significantly raising rates to curb price pressures. As inflation stabilized in late 2023 and early 2024, the ECB and Bank of England initiated rate cuts by mid-2024, and the Federal Reserve also implemented its first cut in three years, with forecasts suggesting a gradual decrease in all major interest rates between 2025 and 2026. Divergent approaches within the European Union While the ECB sets a benchmark rate for the Eurozone, individual EU countries have adopted diverse strategies to address their unique economic circumstances. For instance, Hungary set the highest rate in the EU at 13 percent in September 2023, gradually reducing it to 6.5 percent by October 2024. In contrast, Sweden implemented more aggressive cuts, lowering its rate to two percent by June 2025, the lowest among EU members. These variations highlight the complex economic landscape that European central banks must navigate, balancing inflation control with economic growth support. Global context and future outlook The interest rate changes in major economies have had far-reaching effects on global financial markets. Government bond yields, for example, reflect these policy shifts and investor sentiment. As of December 2024, the United States had the highest 10-year government bond yield among developed economies at 4.59 percent, while Switzerland had the lowest at 0.27 percent. These rates serve as important benchmarks for borrowing costs and economic expectations worldwide.

From 2010 to 2017, Australia had the highest short-term interest rate among selected countries worldwide. Afterward, its rates became more aligned with those of Canada and the United States. The lowest short-term interest rates during this period were found in the Euro area and Japan, as well as in the United States until 2015, where rates remained below *** percent. In 2021, all regions except Japan experienced a decrease in interest rates. However, in the following years, rates increased. As of 2024 short term interest rates rested as roughly *** percent for Australia and Canada, *** in the Euro area, and over **** percent in the U.S.. Japan had the lowest rate at **** percent.

The benchmark interest rate in Japan was last recorded at 0.50 percent. This dataset provides - Japan Interest Rate - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

Graph and download economic data for 1-Year Swap Rate (DISCONTINUED) (WSWP1) from 2000-07-07 to 2016-10-28 about swaps, 1-year, interest rate, interest, rate, and USA.

The benchmark interest rate in Brazil was last recorded at 15 percent. This dataset provides - Brazil Interest Rate - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

The benchmark interest rate in Paraguay was last recorded at 6 percent. This dataset provides - Paraguay Interest Rate - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

The benchmark interest rate in Switzerland was last recorded at 0 percent. This dataset provides - Switzerland Interest Rate - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

The benchmark interest rate in Australia was last recorded at 3.60 percent. This dataset provides - Australia Interest Rate - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

Since 2010, long-term interest rates generally declined across each of the ***** countries considered until 2021, but rose thereafter. In 2024, the long-term interest rate in the United States amounted to **** percent. That year, the long-term interest rate in Germany stood at **** percent.

The benchmark interest rate in the United Kingdom was last recorded at 4 percent. This dataset provides - United Kingdom Interest Rate - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

The benchmark interest rate in Germany was last recorded at 4.50 percent. This dataset provides - Germany Interest Rate - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

Graph and download economic data for Interest Rate That Issuers Not Subject to the Unsecured Credit Surcharge Pay to Issue 3-Month Unsecured Paper to the Commercial Paper Funding Facility (CPFF) (DISCONTINUED) (RIFSPPCUNB) from 2008-10-27 to 2010-02-01 about issuers, CPFF, issues, 3-month, credits, interest rate, interest, rate, and USA.

The benchmark interest rate in Pakistan was last recorded at 11 percent. This dataset provides - Pakistan Interest Rate - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

The dataset shows structure of interest rates

Note: 1. For the year 1995-96, interest rate on deposits of maturity above 3 years, and from 1996-97 onwards, interest rates on deposit for all the maturities refer to the deposit rates of 5 major public sector banks as at end-March. 2. From 1994-95 onwards, data on minimum general key lending rates prescribed by RBI refers to the prime lending rates of 5 major public sector banks. 3. For 2011-12, data on deposit rates and Base rates of 5 major public sector banks refer to the period up to July 31, 2010. From July 1, 2010 BPLR System is replaced by Base Rate System. Accordingly the data reflects the Base Rate of five major public sector banks. Data for 2010-11 for Call/Notice Money rates are average of April-July 2010. 4. Data for dividend rate and yield rate for units of UTI are based on data received from Unit Trust of India. 5. Data on annual(gross) redemption yield of Government of India securities are based on redemption yield which is computed from 2000-01 as the mean of the daily weighted average yield of the transactions in each traded security. The weight is calculated as the share of the transaction in a given security in the aggregated value. 6. Data on prime lending rates for IDBI, IFCI and ICICI for the year 1999-00 relates to long-term prime lending rates in January 2000. 7. Data on prime lending rates for State Financial Corporation for all the years and for other term lending institutions from 2002-03 onwards relate to long-term (over 36-month) PLR. 8. Data on prime lending rate of IIBI/ IRBI from 2003-04 onwards relate to single PLR effective July 31, 2003. 9. IDBI ceased to be term lending institution on its conversion into a banking entity effective October 11, 2004. 10. ICICI ceased to be a term-lending institution after its merger with ICICI Bank. 11. Figures in brackets indicate lending rate charged to small-scale industries. 12. IFCI has become a non-bank financial company. 13. IIBI is in the process of voluntary winding up.