In June 2024, the European Central Bank (ECB) began reducing its fixed interest rate for the first time since 2016, implementing a series of cuts. The rate decreased from 4.5 percent to 3.15 percent by year-end: a 0.25 percentage point cut in June, followed by additional reductions in September, October, and December. The central bank implemented other cuts in the first half of 2025, setting the rate at 2.15 percent in June 2025. This marked a significant shift from the previous rate hike cycle, which began in July 2022 when the ECB raised rates to 0.5 percent and subsequently increased them almost monthly, reaching 4.5 percent by December 2023 - the highest level since the 2007-2008 global financial crisis. How does this ensure liquidity? Banks typically hold only a fraction of their capital in cash, measured by metrics like the Tier 1 capital ratio. Since this ratio is low, banks prefer to allocate most of their capital to revenue-generating loans. When their cash reserves fall too low, banks borrow from the ECB to cover short-term liquidity needs. On the other hand, commercial banks can also deposit excess funds with the ECB at a lower interest rate. Reasons for fluctuations
The ECB’s primary mandate is to maintain price stability. The Euro area inflation rate is, in theory, the key indicator guiding the ECB's actions. When the fixed interest rate is lower, commercial banks are more likely to borrow from the ECB, increasing the money supply and, in turn, driving inflation higher. When inflation rises, the ECB increases the fixed interest rate, which slows borrowing and helps to reduce inflation.

The benchmark interest rate In the Euro Area was last recorded at 2.15 percent. This dataset provides - Euro Area Interest Rate - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

In June 2024, the European Central Bank (ECB) lowered its deposit facility interest rate for the first time in over two years, marking a shift in its monetary policy stance. This move was followed by a gradual adjustment, with the rate reaching 3.25 percent six months later. By December 2024, the ECB implemented an additional rate cut, bringing the rate down to three percent. In the first half of 2025, the ECB implemented four further cuts, setting the rate at two percent in June 2025. These reductions came after a prolonged period of steady rate increases, signaling a measured response to evolving economic conditions and a potential recalibration of its approach to support growth and stability.

Table of the evolution of European Central Bank interest rates

Graph and download economic data for ECB Deposit Facility Rate for Euro Area (ECBDFR) from 1999-01-01 to 2025-10-24 about overnight, Euro Area, deposits, Europe, and rate.

In June 2024, the European Central Bank (ECB) reduced the interest rate on its marginal lending facility by 0.25 percentage points, marking the first cut since 2016. Three months later, the ECB implemented another cut, setting the rate at 3.9 percent. It was followed by two further cuts at the end of 2024 and four more in the first half of 2025, the latest one setting the rate at 2.4 percent. The marginal lending rate had previously been adjusted on March 16, 2016, when it was lowered from 0.3 percent to 0.25 percent, remaining unchanged until July 2022, when it was raised to 0.75 percent. After September 2022, the rate saw regular increases, reaching 4.75 percent by April 2024.

Policy interest rates in the U.S. and Europe are forecasted to decrease gradually between 2024 and 2027, following exceptional increases triggered by soaring inflation between 2021 and 2023. The U.S. federal funds rate stood at 5.38 percent at the end of 2023, the European Central Bank deposit rate at four percent, and the Swiss National Bank policy rate at 1.75 percent. With inflationary pressures stabilizing, policy interest rates are forecast to decrease in each observed region. The U.S. federal funds rate is expected to decrease to 3.5 percent, the ECB refi rate to 2.65 percent, the Bank of England bank rate to 3.33 percent, and the Swiss National Bank policy rate to 0.75 percent by 2025. An interesting aspect to note is the impact of these interest rate changes on various economic factors such as growth, employment, and inflation. The impact of central bank policy rates The U.S. federal funds effective rate, crucial in determining the interest rate paid by depository institutions, experienced drastic changes in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The subsequent slight changes in the effective rate reflected the efforts to stimulate the economy and manage economic factors such as inflation. Such fluctuations in the federal funds rate have had a significant impact on the overall economy. The European Central Bank's decision to cut its fixed interest rate in June 2024 for the first time since 2016 marked a significant shift in attitude towards economic conditions. The reasons behind the fluctuations in the ECB's interest rate reflect its mandate to ensure price stability and manage inflation, shedding light on the complex interplay between interest rates and economic factors. Inflation and real interest rates The relationship between inflation and interest rates is critical in understanding the actions of central banks. Central banks' efforts to manage inflation through interest rate adjustments reveal the intricate balance between economic growth and inflation. Additionally, the concept of real interest rates, adjusted for inflation, provides valuable insights into the impact of inflation on the economy.

Deposit Interest Rate In the Euro Area remained unchanged at 2 percent in September. This dataset provides - Euro Area Deposit Interest Rate- actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

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.

ECB Projection: HICP: YoY: EA data was reported at 2.000 % in 2027. This records an increase from the previous number of 1.900 % for 2026. ECB Projection: HICP: YoY: EA data is updated yearly, averaging 2.100 % from Dec 1995 (Median) to 2027, with 33 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 8.400 % in 2022 and a record low of 0.200 % in 2016. ECB Projection: HICP: YoY: EA data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by European Central Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s European Union – Table EU.I037: European Central Bank: Consumer Price Index: Harmonized: Year on Year Growth: Projection.

Refinancing Operations In the Euro Area decreased to 7.98 EUR Billion in September from 8.06 EUR Billion in July of 2025. This dataset includes a chart with historical data for ECB Main Refinancing Operations (MROs).

The present data collection consists of the following indicators:

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.

European Union BLS: CC: General Level of Interest Rates: Increase data was reported at 7.773 % in Apr 2025. This records an increase from the previous number of 6.917 % for Jan 2025. European Union BLS: CC: General Level of Interest Rates: Increase data is updated quarterly, averaging 7.773 % from Apr 2015 (Median) to Apr 2025, with 41 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 26.076 % in Jan 2017 and a record low of 0.020 % in Jan 2023. European Union BLS: CC: General Level of Interest Rates: Increase data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by European Central Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s European Union – Table EU.KB020: European Central Bank: Bank Lending Survey: Factor Affecting Demand for Loans to Household.

Between January 2018 and July 2025, Germany's inflation rate experienced significant volatility. Initially fluctuating between 0.3 and 3.1 percent, the rate escalated dramatically, reaching a peak of 10.4 percent in October 2022. By September 2024, the inflation rate had moderated to 1.6 percent. However, inflation began rising again towards the end of 2024, standing at 2.6 percent in December. In the first half of 2025, inflation remained relatively stable, standing at two percent in June 2025. The European Central Bank (ECB) responded to these inflationary pressures with a series of interest rate adjustments. After maintaining historically low rates, the ECB initiated its first rate hike since March 2016 in July 2022, raising the rate to 0.5 percent. The interest rate continued to increase, stabilizing at 4.5 percent from September 2023 to June 2024. In a notable shift, June 2024 marked the first rate cut during this period. It was followed by a series of rate cuts until the end of the year, with the last cut in 2024 setting the rate at 3.15 percent. Several further cuts were implemented in the first half of 2025, setting the rate at 2.15 percent in June 2025.

The benchmark interest rate in Sweden was last recorded at 1.75 percent. This dataset provides the latest reported value for - Sweden Interest Rate - plus previous releases, historical high and low, short-term forecast and long-term prediction, economic calendar, survey consensus and news.

European Union FX Reference Rate: ECB: Pound Sterling to Euro data was reported at 0.852 EUR/GBP in Apr 2025. This records an increase from the previous number of 0.835 EUR/GBP for Mar 2025. European Union FX Reference Rate: ECB: Pound Sterling to Euro data is updated monthly, averaging 0.789 EUR/GBP from Jan 1990 (Median) to Apr 2025, with 424 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 0.953 EUR/GBP in Dec 2008 and a record low of 0.579 EUR/GBP in Apr 2000. European Union FX Reference Rate: ECB: Pound Sterling to Euro data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by European Central Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Belgium – Table BE.ECB: Euro Foreign Exchange Reference Rates.

European Union FX Reference Rate: ECB: Philippine Peso to Euro data was reported at 63.538 EUR/PHP in Apr 2025. This records an increase from the previous number of 61.919 EUR/PHP for Mar 2025. European Union FX Reference Rate: ECB: Philippine Peso to Euro data is updated monthly, averaging 58.998 EUR/PHP from Jan 1999 (Median) to Apr 2025, with 316 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 76.510 EUR/PHP in Dec 2004 and a record low of 37.474 EUR/PHP in Apr 2000. European Union FX Reference Rate: ECB: Philippine Peso to Euro data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by European Central Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Ireland – Table IE.ECB: Euro Foreign Exchange Reference Rates.

Lending Rate In the Euro Area remained unchanged at 2.40 percent in September. This dataset provides - Euro Area Lending Rate- actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

In August 2025, global inflation rates and central bank interest rates showed significant variation across major economies. Most economies initiated interest rate cuts from mid-2024 due to declining inflationary pressures. The U.S., UK, and EU central banks followed a consistent pattern of regular rate reductions throughout late 2024. In August 2025, Russia maintained the highest interest rate at 18 percent, while Japan retained the lowest at 0.5 percent. Varied inflation rates across major economies The inflation landscape varies considerably among major economies. China had the lowest inflation rate at -0.4 percent in August 2025. In contrast, Russia maintained a high inflation rate of 8.1 percent. These figures align with broader trends observed in early 2025, where China had the lowest inflation rate among major developed and emerging economies, while Russia's rate remained the highest. Central bank responses and economic indicators Central banks globally implemented aggressive rate hikes throughout 2022-23 to combat inflation. The European Central Bank exemplified this trend, raising rates from 0 percent in January 2022 to 4.5 percent by September 2023. A coordinated shift among major central banks began in mid-2024, with the ECB, Bank of England, and Federal Reserve initiating rate cuts, with forecasts suggesting further cuts through 2025 and 2026.