August 2024 marked a significant shift in the UK's monetary policy, as it saw the first reduction in the official bank base interest rate since August 2023. This change came after a period of consistent rate hikes that began in late 2021. In a bid to minimize the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Bank of England cut the official bank base rate in March 2020 to a record low of *** percent. This historic low came just one week after the Bank of England cut rates from **** percent to **** percent in a bid to prevent mass job cuts in the United Kingdom. It remained at *** percent until December 2021 and was increased to one percent in May 2022 and to **** percent in October 2022. After that, the bank rate increased almost on a monthly basis, reaching **** percent in August 2023. It wasn't until August 2024 that the first rate decrease since the previous year occurred, signaling a potential shift in 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 2024, 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 in an effort 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.

The official bank base interest rate in Denmark was **** percent as of May 2020. The lending rate has been stable at this level since it was applied on January 20, 2015. It then dropped from *** percent down to the current level.

Netherlands NL: Lending Interest Rate data was reported at 1.625 % pa in 2012. This records a decrease from the previous number of 2.000 % pa for 2011. Netherlands NL: Lending Interest Rate data is updated yearly, averaging 3.229 % pa from Dec 1999 (Median) to 2012, with 14 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 5.000 % pa in 2001 and a record low of 1.625 % pa in 2012. Netherlands NL: Lending Interest Rate data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Netherlands – Table NL.World Bank.WDI: Interest Rates. Lending rate is the bank rate that usually meets the short- and medium-term financing needs of the private sector. This rate is normally differentiated according to creditworthiness of borrowers and objectives of financing. The terms and conditions attached to these rates differ by country, however, limiting their comparability.; ; International Monetary Fund, International Financial Statistics and data files.; ;

Netherlands NL: Interest Rate Spread data was reported at -1.112 % pa in 2012. This records a decrease from the previous number of -0.607 % pa for 2011. Netherlands NL: Interest Rate Spread data is updated yearly, averaging 0.477 % pa from Dec 1999 (Median) to 2012, with 14 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 1.904 % pa in 2000 and a record low of -1.112 % pa in 2012. Netherlands NL: Interest Rate Spread data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Netherlands – Table NL.World Bank.WDI: Interest Rates. Interest rate spread is the interest rate charged by banks on loans to private sector customers minus the interest rate paid by commercial or similar banks for demand, time, or savings deposits. The terms and conditions attached to these rates differ by country, however, limiting their comparability.; ; International Monetary Fund, International Financial Statistics and data files.; Median;

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.

Netherlands NL: Real Interest Rate data was reported at 0.202 % pa in 2012. This records a decrease from the previous number of 1.855 % pa for 2011. Netherlands NL: Real Interest Rate data is updated yearly, averaging 1.050 % pa from Dec 1999 (Median) to 2012, with 14 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 2.447 % pa in 2007 and a record low of 0.202 % pa in 2012. Netherlands NL: Real Interest Rate data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Netherlands – Table NL.World Bank.WDI: Interest Rates. Real interest rate is the lending interest rate adjusted for inflation as measured by the GDP deflator. The terms and conditions attached to lending rates differ by country, however, limiting their comparability.; ; International Monetary Fund, International Financial Statistics and data files using World Bank data on the GDP deflator.; ;

The average mortgage interest rate decreased in nearly every country in Europe between 2012 and 2021, followed by an increase in response to inflation. In the fourth quarter of 2024, Poland, Hungary, and Romania topped the ranking as the countries with the highest mortgage interest rates in Europe. Conversely, Belgium, Spain, and Italy displayed the lowest interest rates. The UK, which is the country with the largest value of mortgages outstanding, had an interest rate of **** percent.

Graph and download economic data for 15-Year Fixed Rate Mortgage Average in the United States (MORTGAGE15US) from 1991-08-30 to 2025-08-21 about 15-year, mortgage, fixed, interest rate, interest, rate, and USA.

Tonga: Interest rates on bank credit to the private sector: The latest value from 2023 is 7.74 percent, a decline from 7.86 percent in 2022. In comparison, the world average is 14.19 percent, based on data from 83 countries. Historically, the average for Tonga from 2012 to 2023 is 8.27 percent. The minimum value, 7.74 percent, was reached in 2023 while the maximum of 9.93 percent was recorded in 2012.

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.

United States Interest Rate Swaps: Mth Avg: 7 Year data was reported at 3.114 % pa in Nov 2018. This records a decrease from the previous number of 3.160 % pa for Oct 2018. United States Interest Rate Swaps: Mth Avg: 7 Year data is updated monthly, averaging 3.150 % pa from Jul 2000 (Median) to Nov 2018, with 221 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 7.199 % pa in Jul 2000 and a record low of 1.190 % pa in Nov 2012. United States Interest Rate Swaps: Mth Avg: 7 Year data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Federal Reserve Board. The data is categorized under Global Database’s United States – Table US.M014: Interest Rate: Swaps Rates.

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.

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.

Graph and download economic data for Interest Rates: 3-Month or 90-Day Rates and Yields: Interbank Rates: Total for India (INDIR3TIB01STQ) from Q1 2012 to Q2 2025 about interbank, India, 3-month, yield, interest rate, interest, and rate.

Deposit Interest Rate in Macedonia remained unchanged at 3.95 percent in July. This dataset includes a chart with historical data for Deposit Interest Rate in Macedonia.

The benchmark interest rate in Bhutan was last recorded at 6.38 percent. This dataset provides the latest reported value for - Bhutan Interest 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 Poland was last recorded at 5 percent. This dataset provides - Poland Interest Rate - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

The benchmark interest rate in Vietnam was last recorded at 4.50 percent. This dataset provides the latest reported value for - Vietnam Interest Rate - plus previous releases, historical high and low, short-term forecast and long-term prediction, economic calendar, survey consensus and news.

The average mortgage interest rate in France declined for almost a decade before increasing dramatically in 2022. As of ************, new housing loans had an average interest rate of *** percent - about twice higher than the year before. This trend was observed in most countries across Europe.

How has the mortgage reacted to the interest rate hike? The value of new mortgage lending in France decreased notably in the third quarter of 2022, possibly as a response to the higher lending costs. Additionally, soaring inflation has also played a major role in decreasing home buyer sentiment by eroding savings and the purchasing power of prospective home buyers.

How have house prices reacted to the change? Though house prices have steadily increased since 2016, the growth was the highest in the third quarter of 2021 when the house price index jumped from *** to *** index points. In 2022, the increase of residential real estate prices slowed down, with a forecast to turn negative in 2023. According to a July 2022 forecast, house prices are set to decline by **** percent in 2023.

A tabular presentation of interest rate forecasts for Canadian 3-month Treasury Bills and 10-year Government Bonds in 2012 and 2013 by 6 private sector institutions.