UK Consumer Price Index Back Series from 1950

The Office for National Statistics provides estimated historical Consumer Price Index data for the United Kingdom. This supporting material includes an article describing the method used to model the CPI series back to 1950. The estimated series are provided at the all-items and two-digit CPI levels.

Use Cases

• Model long-term inflation trends based on the estimated back series to 1950.
• Analyze historical price changes at the two-digit CPI level mentioned in the description.
• Benchmark economic models using the official UK CPI methodology described in the article.
• Study the impact of methodological changes on inflation measurement over time.

Strengths

• Data is produced by the Office for National Statistics, the UK's official statistical agency.
• Includes an article detailing the estimation methodology for the back series.
• Covers a long historical period, with estimates extending back to 1950.

Limitations

• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Row count is unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.
• Data may reflect temporal or methodological bias inherent to the estimation process.

Provenance

Source

Office for National Statistics

Collection Method

Statistical estimation method described in an accompanying article.

Time Range

Estimated series from 1950 onwards.

Freshness

Last updated 2026-07-08 13:33:05.107712; freshness should be verified.

Geography

United Kingdom