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Inflation in China: 1993 – 2026

Since 20201 Year5 Years10 Years15 Years20 YearsAll
Start
End
Latest month of data:June 2026
Cumulative Inflation for 33 Years 6 Months
+180.5%
Average Inflation Rate
3.1%
Price Multiplier
2.80x
Loss of Buying Power
-64.3%
inflationcompare.com

Report for: January 1993 — June 2026

Moderate (creeping) inflation was recorded with an average annual rate of 3.1%. This is the standard operating mode for most economies, stimulating consumption. However, over time, this rate leads to a logical erosion of capital: the total cost of living increased by 2.80 times, reducing the real value of CNY to 36%.

Inflation Rate by Year

Inflation Adjusted Prices

Equivalent Value
What cost 100 CNY in 1993, would cost 280 CNY today. To maintain the same standard of living, income over 33 years should have grown by 2.80 times.
1993100 CNY
+180.5%
2026280 CNY

Value Adjusted for Inflation

Loss of Buying Power

Real Value
Since 1993, the purchasing power of 100 CNY has decreased to 36 CNY. The chart shows how CNY lost a total of 64.3% of its value over 33 years.
1993100 CNY
-64.3%
202636 CNY
-64%
Total Loss

Purchasing Power Over Time

Cumulative Inflation (%)

Historical Inflation Table

YearInflation (%)
20260.22%
20250.71%
20240.10%
2023-0.29%
20221.78%
20211.44%
20200.27%
20194.41%
20181.91%
20171.85%
20161.99%
20151.62%
20141.41%
20132.51%
20122.53%
20114.03%
20104.57%
20091.70%
20081.26%
20076.58%
20062.81%
20051.58%
20042.31%
20033.21%
2002-0.43%
2001-0.30%
20001.50%
1999-1.00%
1998-1.00%
19970.40%
19967.00%
199510.10%
199425.50%
199316.39%

Related Countries

USA
USA
India
India
Russia
Russia

Calculation Methodology

Calculations are based on CPI NBS. It is a consumer price index that measures the average change in prices for goods and services purchased by the population.

Price Multiplier

Price Multiplier shows how many times prices have increased. In macroeconomics, this baseline metric is known as the Price Index Ratio. It is derived directly from official CPI data and serves as the mathematical foundation for all other calculations on this page.

Formula:
Price Multiplier(K)=CPI2026CPI1993\text{Price Multiplier} (K) = \frac{\text{CPI}_{2026}}{\text{CPI}_{1993}}
Calculation:
100.60135.868=2.8047\frac{100.601}{35.868} = 2.8047
Cumulative Inflation

To calculate the cumulative inflation since 1993, we use the following formula:

Formula:
(K−1)×100=Cumulative(%)(K - 1) \times 100 = \text{Cumulative} (\%)
Calculation:
(2.8047−1)×100=180.5%(2.8047 - 1) \times 100 = 180.5\%
Average Inflation Rate

Shows the average annual price growth rate including compound interest (where each year's inflation is added to already increased prices). To calculate the average annual inflation for 33 years since 1993, we use the following formula:

Formula:
K1n−1=Average Inflation RateK^{\frac{1}{n}} - 1 = \text{Average Inflation Rate}
n — number of years (33)
Calculation:
(2.80471/33−1)×100=3.1%(2.8047^{1/33} - 1) \times 100 = 3.1\%
Loss of Buying Power

To find out what share of its real value savings in CNY have lost since 1993, we calculate the percentage drop in purchasing power. Loss of buying power is calculated as an inverse proportion to price growth:

Formula:
(1−1K)×100=Loss of Buying Power(%)\left( 1 - \frac{1}{K} \right) \times 100 = \text{Loss of Buying Power} (\%)
Calculation:
(1−12.8047)×100=64.3%\left( 1 - \frac{1}{2.8047} \right) \times 100 = 64.3\%
Equivalent Value

To calculate the equivalent value in terms of purchasing power in 2026, we multiply the initial value from 1993 by the price growth factor:

Formula:
Original Amount×K=Equivalent\text{Original Amount} \times K = \text{Equivalent}
Calculation:
100×2.8047=280 CNY100 \times 2.8047 = 280 \text{ CNY}

Citation & Data Usage

You can use the data in your articles. Link to the source:

"Inflation in China (1993–2026)", InflationCompare, . Accessed 18 July 2026. Data source: CPI NBS.
Inflation in China (1993–2026)