When converted to the value of one British pound Sterling in 2019, goods and services that cost one pound in 1210 would cost just over two thousand pounds in 2019, meaning that one pound in 1210 was worth approximately two thousand times more than it is today. This data can be used to calculate how much goods and services from the years shown would cost today, by multiplying the price from then by the number shown in the graph. For example, an item that cost 50 pounds in 1970 would theoretically cost 780 pounds in 2019's money.

In 2024, the annual inflation rate for the United Kingdom was 2.5 percent, with the average rate for 2025 predicted to rise to 3.2 percent, revised upwards from an earlier prediction of 2.6 percent. The UK has only recently recovered from a period of elevated inflation, which saw the CPI rate reach 9.1 percent in 2022, and 7.3 percent in 2023. Despite an uptick in inflation expected in 2025, the inflation rate is expected to fall to 2.1 percent in 2026, and two percent between 2027 and 2029. UK inflation crisis Between 2021 and 2023, inflation surged in the UK, reaching a 41-year-high of 11.1 percent in October 2022. Although inflation fell to more usual levels by 2024, prices in the UK had already increased by over 20 percent relative to the start of the crisis. The two main drivers of price increases during this time were food and energy inflation, two of the main spending areas of UK households. Although food and energy prices came down quite sharply in 2023, underlying core inflation, which measures prices rises without food and energy, remained slightly above the headline inflation rate throughout 2024, suggesting some aspects of inflation had become embedded in the UK economy. Inflation rises across in the world in 2022 The UK was not alone in suffering from runaway inflation over the last few years. From late 2021 onwards, various factors converged to encourage a global acceleration of prices, leading to the ongoing inflation crisis. Blocked-up supply chains were one of the main factors as the world emerged from the COVID-19 pandemic. This was followed by energy and food inflation skyrocketing after Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Central bank interest rates were raised globally in response to the problem, possibly putting an end to the era of cheap money that has defined monetary policy since the financial crash of 2008.

Annual inflation data extracted from research publication Richards, Patsy (2002): "Inflation: The value of the pound 1750-2001"

The GBP/USD exchange rate rose to 1.3745 on July 1, 2025, up 0.10% from the previous session. Over the past month, the British Pound has strengthened 1.48%, and is up by 8.34% over the last 12 months. British Pound - values, historical data, forecasts and news - updated on July of 2025.

During 2022, the GBP/USD exchange rate reached its lowest value ever recorded, after the UK government announced its initial plans to combat inflation. Prices did increase again after these plans were turned back shortly after. As of June 27, 2025, one pound was valued at roughly 1.37 U.S. dollars. What affects an exchange rate? There are several factors that can impact an exchange rate. In terms of the current situation, the political and economic standings surrounding Brexit is probably the largest driver in the current form of the British pound. Other factors include inflation and interest rates, public debts, deficits as well as the country's export prices to import prices ratio. British pound to Euro Since the United Kingdom (UK) held a referendum on its European Union membership in June 2016, the British pound's (GBP) standing against the Euro has also been impacted. During the first half of 2020, the British pound against the Euro weakened overall.

The average exchange rate of the euro to the pound nearly reached 0.9 GBP over the course of 2022, a figure lower than in previous years. This according to a comparison between average monthly and daily exchange rates. Figures changed especially in the second half of 2022, after the British government first announced its inflation plans. By June 27, 2025, however, one euro was valued at 0.85 British pounds. The pound to euro exchange rate can be found on a different page. Establishment The euro, which was established in 1992, introduced in non-physical form in 1999 and finally rolled out in 2002, is used by 19 of the 27 member states of the European Union. This group of 19 countries is otherwise known as the eurozone or euro area. By 2018, the total value of euro currency in circulation was almost 1.2 trillion euros, or over 3.4 thousand euros per capita. Euro to GBP Between 2000 and 2009, the average annual exchange rate of the euro to the British pound sterling noted a steep increase. In 2009, the euro to British pound sterling annual average exchange rate was equal to 0.89, which meant that one euro could buy 0.89 British pounds. By 2016, this value had decreased to a value of 0.82, which again meant that one euro could buy 0.88 British pounds. The Brexit referendum is the likely reason for the noted increase in value of euro to British pound sterling from 2017 onwards. The overall strengthening of the euro against the British pound following the referendum result, in June 2016, can be seen in the monthly exchange rate.

The USD to GBP exchange rate history reveals a notably strong dollar against pound in 2022, with values being higher than during COVID-19 or Brexit. In January 2021, for example, one U.S. dollar could buy less than 0.80 British pounds. This had changed to a value of 0.75 British pounds by May 2, 2025. Before that time, the exchange rate grew especially during the summer of 2022 - following war in Ukraine as well as uncertainty surrounding the UK government's inflation response - as exchange rates reached the highest value since 2012.

Wages for regular pay in the United Kingdom grew by approximately 5.2 percent in April 2025, although when adjusted for inflation, wages for regular pay only grew in real terms by 1.4 percent. Twenty months of inflation outpacing wages Between November 2021 and June 2023 inflation was higher than wage growth in the UK, resulting in falling real terms earnings throughout this 20-month period. While UK inflation peaked at 11.1 percent in October 2022, it was not until April 2023 that it fell below double figures, and not until May 2024 that it reached the Bank of England's target of two percent. Forecasts from the Autumn 2024 budget predict that the annual UK inflation will for 2024 will be 2.5 percent, down from 7.3 percent in 2023 and 9.1 percent in 2022. Due to high inflation, the UK's minimum wage also rose quite significantly during this period, with the "main" rate increasing from 8.91 pounds per hour in 2021 to 12.21 pounds per hour in 2025. Average earnings and gender pay gap For full-time workers in the United Kingdom, the median average annual earnings was 37,430 British pounds in 2024, compared with 34,663 pounds in 2023. In London, average earnings were significantly higher than the rest of the country, at 47,455 pounds. Just two other areas of the United Kingdom, the South East and Scotland, had annual salaries above the UK average. North East England had the lowest average salary, at 32,960 pounds. As of 2024, the gender pay gap for median gross hourly earnings in the UK was 13.1 percent for all workers, falling to seven percent for full-time workers and -3 percent for part-time workers. Compared with 1997, when the gender pay gap was 27.5 percent for all workers, there has been a degree of progress, although, at current trends, it will be some time before the gap is closed entirely.

The pound to euro history reveals that exchange rates in 2022 were not as low as they were during 2008 or since the Brexit referendum. Since the United Kingdom (UK) held a referendum on its European Union membership in June 2016, the British pound (GBP) weakened against the euro. From a high of 1.43 at the end of November 2015, the GBP to EUR exchange rate has remained below 1.2 since July 2016, sitting at 1.11 as of October 2020. By June 27, 2025, values had reached 1.17 euros per pound. The euro to pound exchange rate can be found on a different page. Hitting UK citizens' pockets It is not just European holidaymakers that are hit when the British pound to Euro exchange rate falls. The average UK consumer also feels the pinch as inflation rates often rise to cover the shortfall of the pound. When the inflation rate rises, the price of imported goods goes up and the consumer ends up paying more. GBP to U.S. dollar Since 2016’s referendum, the British pound (GBP) fell across the exchange. The GBP's fall against the Euro was also reflected against the U.S. dollar where the exchange rate in May 2016 (pre-referendum) of 1.46 dollars to the pound has fallen significantly.

During 2022, the GBP/USD exchange rate reached its lowest value ever recorded, after the UK government announced its initial plans to combat inflation. Prices did increase again after these plans were turned back shortly after. As of May 2, 2025, one pound was valued at roughly 1.33 U.S. dollars. What affects an exchange rate? There are several factors that can impact an exchange rate. In terms of the current situation, the political and economic standings surrounding Brexit is probably the largest driver in the current form of the British pound. Other factors include inflation and interest rates, public debts, deficits as well as the country's export prices to import prices ratio. British pound to Euro Since the United Kingdom (UK) held a referendum on its European Union membership in June 2016, the British pound's (GBP) standing against the Euro has also been impacted. During the first half of 2020, the British pound against the Euro weakened overall.

From January 2020 through January 2025, the value of money market funds under management in the United Kingdom (UK) remained relatively stable aside from one notable spike in value in October 2022, by January 2023, however, the spike had subsided, and fund levels had fallen below 50 million British pounds.

How are money market yields linked to inflation? The money market yields are influenced by inflation expectations. When inflation expectations rise, investors typically demand higher nominal yields to offset the anticipated decline in purchasing power. Market sentiment regarding inflation is reflected in these yields, which act as indicators for both investors and policymakers. The inflation rate for the Consumer Price Index (CPI) in the United Kingdom went from under one percent in March 2021 to a high of 11.1 percent in October 2022. Although inflation declined to 3.9 percent in October 2023, it remained well above the levels seen before 2021. Consequently, a significant increase in money market yields was observed. Beginning in 2022, the monthly average yields from the British government bonds continued to rise until they reached their peak in mid-2023, indicating higher inflation expectations.

What is LIBOR? The London Interbank Offered Rate, or LIBOR, is a benchmark interest rate that reflects the average interest rate at which major global banks lend to each other in the interbank market. It is used to establish interest rates for financial instruments such as adjustable-rate mortgages, business loans, and derivatives. The six-month overnight London Interbank Offered Rate based on the British pound increased month by month from 2022 onwards, reaching its peak in March 2023 at 4.74 percent. This increase in borrowing costs has a ripple effect throughout the financial system, which means higher interest rates for businesses and consumers overall.

The pound strengthened against the USD in May 2025 compared to a year prior, closed trading at 1.3304 as of May 13, 2025. This was due to various development in the global financial market, and increased inflation in the United States that has led to a pullback in the value of U.S. dollars. . Inflation in the United States — as measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI) decline under three percent following January 2025.

In 2023/24 the weekly value of the basic state pension in the United Kingdom was 156.2 British pounds, compared with 141.85 in the previous financial year. Pensions grew by 10.1 percent in 2023/24, in line with the inflation rate, the highest of the three different metrics used in the UK's triple lock pension system.

The average exchange rate of the euro to the pound nearly reached 0.9 GBP over the course of 2022, a figure lower than in previous years. This according to a comparison between average monthly and daily exchange rates. Figures changed especially in the second half of 2022, after the British government first announced its inflation plans. By May 2, 2025, however, one euro was valued at 0.85 British pounds. The pound to euro exchange rate can be found on a different page. Establishment The euro, which was established in 1992, introduced in non-physical form in 1999 and finally rolled out in 2002, is used by 19 of the 27 member states of the European Union. This group of 19 countries is otherwise known as the eurozone or euro area. By 2018, the total value of euro currency in circulation was almost 1.2 trillion euros, or over 3.4 thousand euros per capita. Euro to GBP Between 2000 and 2009, the average annual exchange rate of the euro to the British pound sterling noted a steep increase. In 2009, the euro to British pound sterling annual average exchange rate was equal to 0.89, which meant that one euro could buy 0.89 British pounds. By 2016, this value had decreased to a value of 0.82, which again meant that one euro could buy 0.88 British pounds. The Brexit referendum is the likely reason for the noted increase in value of euro to British pound sterling from 2017 onwards. The overall strengthening of the euro against the British pound following the referendum result, in June 2016, can be seen in the monthly exchange rate.

In 2024, the consumer price index (CPI) of pharmaceutical products in the United Kingdom (UK) was measured at some 133. The CPI is designed to measure changes in the prices of goods that consumers buy. The year 2015 is used as the base year for calculations, and therefore the index in this year measures 100. UK OTC medication market The sales value of the British over-the-counter (OTC) medicines market has generally increased since 2000, amounting to a worth of approximately 4.1 billion British pounds in 2024. The category with the highest sales value among OTC medication in 2024 was pain relief, which accounted for nearly 860 million British pounds worth of sales. Prescribed medication At the same time as the OTC market has been growing, the number of prescription items dispensed also increased during this period. In 2023/24, the number of items dispensed in England showed a record high of 1.11 billion. The average number of prescription items dispensed per month at pharmacies in England came to over 7,100 in 2023/24.

The value of approvals issued for house purchase lending in the UK plummeted at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, reaching a record-low of 1.9 billion British pounds in May 2020. In the second half of the year, the release of pent-up demand led to the value of approvals spiking at close to 22 billion British pounds in December 2020. With mortgage rates increasing in response to stubborn inflation, the value of mortgage approvals saw a substantial decrease in 2022 and an uptick in 2023. Remortgage approvals followed a similar trend.

One of the major duties the Bank of England (BoE) is tasked with is keeping inflation rates low and stable. The usual tactic for keeping inflation rates down, and therefore the price of goods and services stable by the Bank of England is through lowering the Bank Rate. Such a measure was used in 2008 during the global recession when the BoE lowered the bank base rate from **** percent to *** percent. Due to the economic fears surrounding the COVID-19 virus, as of the 19th of March 2020, the bank base rate was set to its lowest ever standing. The issue with lowering interest rates is that there is an end limit as to how low they can go. Quantitative easing Quantitative easing is a measure that central banks can use to inject money into the economy to hopefully boost spending and investment. Quantitative easing is the creation of digital money in order to purchase government bonds. By purchasing large amounts of government bonds, the interest rates on those bonds lower. This in turn means that the interest rates offered on loans for the purchasing of mortgages or business loans also lowers, encouraging spending and stimulating the economy. Large enterprises jump at the opportunity After the initial stimulus of *** billion British pounds through quantitative easing in March 2020, the Bank of England announced in June that they would increase the amount by a further 100 billion British pounds. In March of 2020, the headline flow of borrowing by non-financial industries including construction, transport, real estate and the manufacturing sectors increased significantly.

Consumer Price Index CPI in the United Kingdom increased to 138.40 points in May from 138.20 points in April of 2025. This dataset provides the latest reported value for - United Kingdom Consumer Price Index (CPI) - plus previous releases, historical high and low, short-term forecast and long-term prediction, economic calendar, survey consensus and news.

Just as in many other countries, the housing market in the UK grew substantially during the coronavirus pandemic, fueled by robust demand and low borrowing costs. Nevertheless, high inflation and the increase in mortgage rates has led to house price growth slowing down. According to the forecast, 2024 is expected to see house prices decrease by ***** percent. Between 2024 and 2028, the average house price growth is projected at *** percent. A contraction after a period of continuous growth In June 2022, the UK's house price index exceeded *** index points, meaning that since 2015 which was the base year for the index, house prices had increased by ** percent. In just two years, between 2020 and 2022, the index surged by ** index points. As the market stood in December 2023, the average price for a home stood at approximately ******* British pounds. Rents are expected to continue to grow According to another forecast, the prime residential market is also expected to see rental prices grow in the next years. Growth is forecast to be stronger in 2024 and slow down in the period between 2025 and 2028. The rental market in London is expected to follow a similar trend, with Central London slightly outperforming Greater London.

At **** U.S. dollars, Switzerland has the most expensive Big Macs in the world, according to the January 2025 Big Mac index. Concurrently, the cost of a Big Mac was **** dollars in the U.S., and **** U.S. dollars in the Euro area. What is the Big Mac index? The Big Mac index, published by The Economist, is a novel way of measuring whether the market exchange rates for different countries’ currencies are overvalued or undervalued. It does this by measuring each currency against a common standard – the Big Mac hamburger sold by McDonald’s restaurants all over the world. Twice a year the Economist converts the average national price of a Big Mac into U.S. dollars using the exchange rate at that point in time. As a Big Mac is a completely standardized product across the world, the argument goes that it should have the same relative cost in every country. Differences in the cost of a Big Mac expressed as U.S. dollars therefore reflect differences in the purchasing power of each currency. Is the Big Mac index a good measure of purchasing power parity? Purchasing power parity (PPP) is the idea that items should cost the same in different countries, based on the exchange rate at that time. This relationship does not hold in practice. Factors like tax rates, wage regulations, whether components need to be imported, and the level of market competition all contribute to price variations between countries. The Big Mac index does measure this basic point – that one U.S. dollar can buy more in some countries than others. There are more accurate ways to measure differences in PPP though, which convert a larger range of products into their dollar price. Adjusting for PPP can have a massive effect on how we understand a country’s economy. The country with the largest GDP adjusted for PPP is China, but when looking at the unadjusted GDP of different countries, the U.S. has the largest economy.