Policy interest rates in the United States and Europe declined markedly in 2025, with all observed economies implementing multiple rate cuts over the course of the year. In the United States, the federal funds rate was reduced from **** percent at the end of 2024 to **** percent by year-end 2025. Similarly, the European Central Bank lowered its main refinancing rate from **** percent to **** percent, while the Bank of England reduced its bank rate from **** percent to **** percent. Based on forecasts conducted in 2024, both the U.S. federal funds rate and the Bank of England’s policy rate are expected to decline further in 2026. 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.

The benchmark interest rate in the United States was last recorded at 3.75 percent. This dataset provides the latest reported value for - United States Fed Funds Rate - plus previous releases, historical high and low, short-term forecast and long-term prediction, economic calendar, survey consensus and news.

The benchmark interest rate in Canada was last recorded at 2.25 percent. This dataset provides - Canada Interest Rate - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

In December 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 2025. In December 2025, Russia maintained the highest interest rate at ** percent, while Japan retained the lowest at **** percent. Varied inflation rates across major economies The inflation landscape varies considerably among major economies. Sweden had the lowest inflation rate at *** percent in December 2025. In contrast, Russia maintained a high inflation rate of *** percent. These figures align with broader trends observed in late 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 **** percent in September 2019 to *** 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 2024 and 2025.

Regularly updated dataset showing the market-implied outlook for the Bank of Canada (BoC) policy (overnight) rate. Values are derived from forward contracts on CORRA (Canadian Overnight Repo Rate Average) and may also be presented using futures-implied contracts where applicable. Includes fixed announcement dates, rate levels, and probabilities.

Graph and download economic data for FOMC Summary of Economic Projections for the Fed Funds Rate, Median (FEDTARMD) from 2025 to 2028 about projection, federal, median, rate, and USA.

The benchmark interest rate in Australia was last recorded at 3.85 percent. This dataset provides - Australia Interest Rate - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

The benchmark interest rate in India was last recorded at 5.25 percent. This dataset provides - India Interest Rate - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

The benchmark interest rate in the United Kingdom was last recorded at 3.75 percent. This dataset provides - United Kingdom Interest Rate - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

The benchmark interest rate in Mexico was last recorded at 7 percent. This dataset provides - Mexico 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 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.

Key information about Canada Long Term Interest Rate

• Canada Government Benchmark Bonds Yield: Month End: 10 Years was reported at 3.42 % pa in Jan 2026, compared with 3.42 % pa in the previous month.
• Canada Long Term Interest Rate data is updated monthly, available from Jan 1993 to Jan 2026.
• The data reached an all-time high of 9.28 % pa in Jun 1994 and a record low of 0.46 % pa in Jul 2020.
• Long Term Interest Rate is reported by reported by Bank of Canada.

• In the latest reports, Canada Short Term Interest Rate: Month End: Treasury Bills Yield: 3 Months was reported at 2.19 % pa in Jan 2026.
• The cash rate (Policy Rate: Month End: Overnight Target Rate) was set at 2.25 % pa in Jan 2026.
• Canada Exchange Rate against USD averaged 1.40 (USD/CAD) in Oct 2025.

The benchmark interest rate in Japan was last recorded at 0.75 percent. This dataset provides - Japan Interest Rate - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

In 2026, the United Kingdom’s monetary policy continued to ease, with the Bank of England implementing rate cuts over the course of the year. The final cut reduced the Bank Rate to **** percent, reinforcing the shift toward a less restrictive policy stance as inflationary pressures moderated. This easing followed an initial policy pivot in August 2024, when the Bank of England lowered the official bank rate to * percent, marking the first rate cut since the previous year. Earlier, in response to the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Bank of England had reduced the Bank Rate to a historic low of *** percent in March 2020 - just one week after an emergency cut from **** percent to **** percent aimed at preventing widespread job losses. The rate remained at *** percent until December 2021, before rising to * percent in May 2022 and to **** percent in October 2022. Thereafter, the Bank Rate increased almost monthly, reaching **** percent in August 2023, where it remained until the first reduction in August 2024 signaled a turning point in UK monetary policy. Why do central banks adjust interest rates? Central banks, including the Bank of England, adjust interest rates to manage economic stability and control inflation. Their strategies involve a delicate balance between two main approaches. When central banks raise interest rates, their goal is to cool down an overheated economy. Higher rates curb excessive spending and borrowing, which helps to prevent runaway inflation. This approach is typically used when the economy is growing too quickly or when inflation is rising above desired levels. Conversely, when central banks lower interest rates, they aim to encourage borrowing and investment. This strategy is employed to stimulate economic growth during periods of slowdown or recession. Lower rates make it cheaper for businesses and individuals to borrow money, which can lead to increased spending and investment. This dual approach allows central banks to maintain a balance between promoting growth and controlling inflation, ensuring long-term economic stability. Additionally, adjusting interest rates can influence currency values, impacting international trade and investment flows, further underscoring their critical role in a nation's economic health. Recent interest rate trends Between 2021 and 2026, most advanced and emerging economies experienced a period of regular interest rate hikes. This trend was driven by several factors, including persistent supply chain disruptions, high-energy prices, and robust demand pressures. These elements combined to create significant inflationary trends, prompting central banks to raise rates to temper spending and borrowing. However, in 2024, a shift began to occur in global monetary policy. The European Central Bank (ECB) was among the first major central banks to reverse this trend by cutting interest rates. This move signaled a change in approach aimed at addressing growing economic slowdowns and supporting growth.

Based on an "illustrative scenario" in which the United Kingdom (UK) moves to a comprehensive free trade agreement with the European Union (EU) on the 1st of January 2021, this forecast shows the expected annual average bank base interest rate in response to the current Covid-19 pandemic. In a bid to minimize the economic effects of the Covid-19 virus, on the 19th of March 2020 the Bank of England cut the official bank base rate to a record low of 0.1 percent. This historic low came just one week after the Bank of England cut rates from 0.75 percent to 0.25 percent in a bid to prevent mass job cuts in the United Kingdom. In the current forecast scenario, bank interest rates are set to stay between 0.1 percent and 0.2 percent up to 2022.

The benchmark interest rate in Pakistan was last recorded at 10.50 percent. This dataset provides - Pakistan Interest Rate - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

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.

New Zealand RBNZ Forecast: Offical Cash Rate: 1 Year Ahead data was reported at 2.580 % pa in Mar 2026. This records an increase from the previous number of 2.310 % pa for Dec 2025. New Zealand RBNZ Forecast: Offical Cash Rate: 1 Year Ahead data is updated quarterly, averaging 1.530 % pa from Sep 2017 (Median) to Mar 2026, with 35 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 5.160 % pa in Sep 2023 and a record low of -0.160 % pa in Dec 2020. New Zealand RBNZ Forecast: Offical Cash Rate: 1 Year Ahead data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Reserve Bank of New Zealand. The data is categorized under Global Database’s New Zealand – Table NZ.M004: Cash Rate: Forecast: Reserve Bank of New Zealand.

The cost of interest-bearing deposits in the U.S. is forecast to remain elevated between 2024 and 2026, though showing a gradual downward trend during this period. Deposit costs historically hovered below *** percent throughout most of 2015-2021, before surging to approximately *** percent in 2023 amid aggressive Federal Reserve rate hikes. While projected central bank interest rate cuts should help ease deposit costs, the decline is expected to be measured, reaching about *** percent by 2026 - still notably higher than pre-2022 levels.