Australia Inflation Calculator
Australian Inflation Rate, $100 in 1939 to 2003
According to the Bureau of Statistics consumer price index, prices in 2003 are 2,938.46% higher than average prices throughout 1939. The dollar experienced an average inflation rate of 5.48% per year during this period, meaning the real value of a dollar decreased.
In other words, $100 in 1939 is equivalent in purchasing power to about $3,038.46 in 2003, a difference of $2,938.46 over 64 years.
The 1939 inflation rate was 0.00%. The inflation rate in 2003 was 2.73%. The 2003 inflation rate is higher compared to the average inflation rate of 2.36% per year between 2003 and 2019.
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| Cumulative price change | 2,938.46% |
| Average inflation rate | 5.48% |
| Converted amount ($100 base) | $3,038.46 |
| Price difference ($100 base) | $2,938.46 |
| CPI in 1939 | 2.600 |
| CPI in 2003 | 79.000 |
| Inflation in 1939 | 0.00% |
| Inflation in 2003 | 2.73% |
Buying power of $100 in 1939
This chart shows calculation of buying power equivalence, often referred to as "the value of a dollar" over time for $100 in 1939 (price index tracking began in 1922).
According to the Bureau of Statistics, each of these AUD amounts below is equal in terms of what it could buy at the time:
How to Calculate Inflation Rate for $100, 1939 to 2003
This inflation calculator uses the following inflation rate formula:
CPI in 2003CPI in 1939
×
1939 AUD value
=
2003 AUD value
Then plug in historical CPI values. The Australian CPI was 2.6 in the year 1939 and 79 in 2003:
792.6
×
$100
=
$3,038.46
$100 in 1939 has the same "purchasing power" or "buying power" as $3,038.46 in 2003.
To get the total inflation rate for the 64 years between 1939 and 2003, we use the following formula:
CPI in 2003 - CPI in 1939CPI in 1939
×
100
=
Cumulative inflation rate (64 years)
Plugging in the values to this equation, we get:
79 - 2.62.6
×
100
=
2,938%
News headlines from 1939
Politics and news often influence economic performance. Here's what was happening at the time:
- Hitler makes a speech to the German Reichstag where he threatens Jews.
- Mahatma Gandhi begins his fast in protest against Britain’s autocratic rule in India
- The Battle of Nanchang takes place between the Kuomintang ant the Japanese, during Sino-Japanese War.
- The Spanish Civil War ends when Madrid falls to Francisco Franco.
- Britain and France declare war on Germany after it invades Poland, signaling the start of World War II.
- Mussolini’s Italy joins Hitler's war against Great Britain and France.
- Winston Churchill is named British Prime Minister, succeeding Neville Chamberlain.
- Nazi blitzkrieg conquest of France begins when the Germans cross the Muese River.
- Auschwitz concentration camp is opened in Nazi-controlled Poland.
Data Source & Citation
Raw data for these calculations comes from the government of Australia's annual (CPI) as provided by the Reserve Bank of Australia. The consumer price index was established in 1922 and is tracked by Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).
You may use the following MLA citation for this page: “1939 dollars in 2003 | Australia Inflation Calculator.” U.S. Official Inflation Data, Alioth Finance, 8 Dec. 2019, https://www.officialdata.org/1939-AUD-in-2003.
Special thanks to QuickChart for providing downloadable chart images.
in2013dollars.com is a reference website maintained by the Official Data Foundation.
| Cumulative price change | 2,938.46% |
| Average inflation rate | 5.48% |
| Converted amount ($100 base) | $3,038.46 |
| Price difference ($100 base) | $2,938.46 |
| CPI in 1939 | 2.600 |
| CPI in 2003 | 79.000 |
| Inflation in 1939 | 0.00% |
| Inflation in 2003 | 2.73% |