UK Inflation Calculator
UK Inflation Rate, 1802-2018 (£1)
The composite price index (CPI) in 1802 was 11.6. the Office for National Statistics uses this CPI value to track inflation on a monthly basis.
According to the Office for National Statistics composite price index, the pound experienced an average inflation rate of 2.13% per year. Prices in 2018 are 9353.4% higher than prices in 1802.
In other words, £1 in the year 1802 is equivalent in purchasing power to £94.53 in 2018, a difference of £93.53 over 216 years.
The current inflation rate in 2018 is 3.10%1. If this number holds, £1 today will be equivalent to £1.03 next year.
| Cumulative price change | 9353.37% |
| Average inflation rate | 2.13% |
| Price difference (£1 base) | £93.53 |
| CPI in 1802 | 11.6 |
| CPI in 2018 | 1096.59148 |
How to calculate the inflation rate for £1 since 1802
Start with the inflation rate formula:CPI in 2018 / CPI in 1802 * 1802 GBP value = 2018 GBP value
Then plug in historical CPI values. The UK CPI was 11.6 in the year 1802 and 1096.59148 in 2018:
1096.59148 / 11.6 * £1 = £94.53
£1 in 1802 has the same "purchasing power" as £94.53 in 2018.
News headlines from 1802
Politics and news often influence economic performance. Here's what was happening at the time:
- Napoleon is elected president of the Italian Republic (Cisalpine Republic)
- Aime Bonpland and Alexander von Humbolt arrive at Quito, Ecuador
- Congress passes an act calling for a US Capitol library.
Inflation Data Source
Raw data for these calculations comes from the composite price index published by the UK Office for National Statistics (ONS). A composite index is created by combining price data from several different published sources, both official and unofficial. The Consumer Price Index, normally used to compute inflation, has only been tracked since 1988. All inflation calculations after 1988 use the Office for National Statistics' Consumer Price Index, except for 2017, which is based on The Bank of England's forecast.
You may use the following MLA citation for this page: “Inflation Rate in 1802 | UK Inflation Calculator.” FinanceRef Inflation Calculator, Alioth Finance, 18 Apr. 2018, http://www.in2013dollars.com/UK-inflation-rate-in-1802.