Eritrea Inflation Rate
Year-on-year change in the consumer price index (CPI).
Inflation Rate in Eritrea increased to 1.30 percent in 2019 from -14.40 percent in 2018.
Eritrea Inflation Rate — History
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Eritrea Inflation Rate — analysis in simple words
Latest reading
Inflation Rate in Eritrea increased to 1.30 percent in 2019 from -14.40 percent in 2018.
Over the last three years it rose once and fell twice.
Recent trend
A year earlier (2018) it was -14.4%, so the latest figure is 15.7 percentage points higher.
Over the past five years the average was -0.7%, with a range from -14.4% to 28.5%. The latest value is above that five-year average.
Historical context
This data series starts in 1993 and has 27 annual observations. The latest reading is higher than 11% of all of them.
The highest value on record is 33.9% (2009) and the lowest is -14.4% (2018). The long-run average is 10.4%.
Compared with other countries
Among 197 economies with recent data, Eritrea ranks 158th from the top. The median across all these economies is 3.3%, so Eritrea is below the typical country.
Within Sub-Saharan Africa (48 economies with data) it ranks 39th; the regional median is 3.6%.
Statistics
- Latest
- 1.3%2019
- Previous
- -14.4%
- 5-year average
- -0.7%
- Long-run average
- 10.4%since 1993
- All-time high
- 33.9%2009
- All-time low
- -14.4%2018
- Observations
- 27Annual
Recent Data
| Period | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 1.3% | ▲ +15.7 pp |
| 2018 | -14.4% | ▼ −1.1 pp |
| 2017 | -13.3% | ▼ −7.7 pp |
| 2016 | -5.6% | ▼ −34.1 pp |
| 2015 | 28.5% | ▲ +20.1 pp |
| 2014 | 8.4% | ▲ +2.1 pp |
| 2013 | 6.3% | ▲ +0.3 pp |
| 2012 | 6.0% | ▲ +0.1 pp |
| 2011 | 5.9% | ▼ −4.4 pp |
| 2010 | 10.3% | ▼ −23.6 pp |
| 2009 | 33.9% | ▲ +11.7 pp |
| 2008 | 22.2% | ▲ +12.8 pp |
| 2007 | 9.4% | ▲ +1.7 pp |
| 2006 | 7.7% | ▼ −4.8 pp |
| 2005 | 12.5% | ▼ −12.6 pp |
| 2004 | 25.1% | ▲ +2.4 pp |
| 2003 | 22.7% | ▲ +5.8 pp |
| 2002 | 16.9% | ▲ +2.3 pp |
| 2001 | 14.6% | ▼ −5.3 pp |
| 2000 | 19.9% | ▲ +11.5 pp |
| 1999 | 8.4% | ▼ −1.1 pp |
| 1998 | 9.5% | ▲ +5.8 pp |
| 1997 | 3.7% | ▼ −6.6 pp |
| 1996 | 10.3% | ▼ −1.7 pp |
| 1995 | 12.0% | ▼ −1.1 pp |
| 1994 | 13.1% | ▲ +8.3 pp |
| 1993 | 4.8% |
Inflation Rate — Eritrea vs Peers
Latest available reading for each economy (periods may differ). Eritrea highlighted.
More Eritrea indicators
Understanding Inflation Rate — a simple guide
What it measures
The year-on-year change in the consumer price index (CPI) — the cost of a representative basket of goods and services bought by households.
How it is calculated
The statistics office tracks the prices of a fixed “basket” of goods and services that a typical household buys — food, fuel, rent, clothes, transport, education and more. The inflation rate is the percentage change in the price of this basket compared with the same month a year earlier.
If the basket cost ₹10,000 in July last year and ₹10,440 in July this year, the inflation rate is 4.4%.
High inflation means money buys less than before. Central banks often respond by raising interest rates, which can affect loans, bond prices and the stock market.
Low inflation means prices are stable. Very low or negative inflation (deflation) can be a sign of weak demand.
Why it matters for the economy and markets
Inflation erodes purchasing power and is the primary target of most central banks. Persistent inflation above target usually leads to higher policy rates; low inflation gives room for easing.
How to read it
Many central banks target around 2% (India targets 4% within a 2–6% band). Monthly data shows turning points earlier than annual averages; base effects from the previous year can make the year-on-year figure swing.
What to look at alongside it
Core inflation (without food and fuel), the policy interest rate, wage growth and oil prices.
Key terms
- CPI
- Consumer Price Index — the index used to measure household inflation.
- YoY
- Year-on-year: compared with the same period one year earlier.
- Deflation
- A sustained fall in the general price level (negative inflation).
- Core inflation
- Inflation excluding volatile items like food and energy.
Data source
IMF — World Economic Outlook (series PCPIPCH), annual data from 1993 to 2019. Values are shown exactly as published by the source and may be revised later.
How to use the chart
Use the 5Y / 10Y / 25Y / Max buttons to change the time range, or drag the slider under the chart. Hover (or tap) on the line to see the exact value for any period. Dashed lines and hatched bars are IMF projections, not actual data. The “Download CSV” button gives you the full data series.
Frequently asked questions
What is the current inflation rate of Eritrea?
What is the highest and lowest inflation rate of Eritrea?
What does inflation rate measure?
Data are sourced from official international organisations (IMF, World Bank, BIS) and national authorities, and are shown for educational and informational purposes only. They are not investment advice and no recommendation is made. Figures may be revised by the source; IMF figures for the current and future years are projections. This page was last updated on Saturday, October 17, 2026.