The Bank of Russia held its key interest rate unchanged at the record high of 21% in its December meeting, surprising markets that expected a 200bps rate hike to 23%. The decision took place following reports that CBR Governor Nabiullina recently talked with President Putin and Russian business leaders, who have been vocal against high interest rates despite soaring inflation. The central bank cited low credit activity as the warrant for the pause in rate hikes, but reiterated that underlying inflation continued to rise amid higher expectations from households and business, driving the bank’s inflation forecast to rise for 2025 and 2026. The central bank also noted that the significant weakening of the ruble, unbalanced budget spending, and the ongoing labor force crisis contributed to soaring inflation. November data showed that annual headline inflation was at 8.9%, but early forecasts from the CBR have December's print near 9.5%, translating to the highest since February 2023. source: Central Bank of Russia

The benchmark interest rate in Russia was last recorded at 21 percent. Interest Rate in Russia averaged 7.79 percent from 2003 until 2024, reaching an all time high of 21.00 percent in October of 2024 and a record low of 4.25 percent in July of 2020. This page provides the latest reported value for - Russia Interest Rate - plus previous releases, historical high and low, short-term forecast and long-term prediction, economic calendar, survey consensus and news. Russia Interest Rate - data, historical chart, forecasts and calendar of releases - was last updated on January of 2025.

The benchmark interest rate in Russia was last recorded at 21 percent. Interest Rate in Russia is expected to be 22.00 percent by the end of this quarter, according to Trading Economics global macro models and analysts expectations. In the long-term, the Russia Interest Rate is projected to trend around 15.00 percent in 2025 and 10.00 percent in 2026, according to our econometric models.




Calendar GMT Reference Actual Previous Consensus TEForecast
2024-09-13 10:30 AM Interest Rate Decision 19% 18% 18% 18%
2024-10-25 10:30 AM Interest Rate Decision 21% 19% 20% 20.0%
2024-12-20 10:30 AM Interest Rate Decision 21% 21% 23% 23%
2025-02-14 10:30 AM Interest Rate Decision
2025-02-26 10:30 AM Summary of the Key Rate Discussion
2025-03-21 10:30 AM Interest Rate Decision


Related Last Previous Unit Reference
Cash Reserve Ratio 8.50 8.50 percent Dec 2024
Central Bank Balance Sheet 76428711.00 71379061.00 RUB Million Nov 2024
Deposit Interest Rate 20.54 18.96 percent Nov 2024
Foreign Exchange Reserves 616486.00 631573.00 USD Million Nov 2024
Interbank Rate 19.67 19.67 percent Jan 2025
Interest Rate 21.00 21.00 percent Dec 2024
Loans to Private Sector 61360000.00 60605000.00 RUB Million Dec 2023
Money Supply M0 16730.60 16795.70 RUB Billion Nov 2024
Money Supply M1 48529.80 49591.90 RUB Billion Nov 2024
M2 Money Supply YoY 111025.20 108947.90 RUB Billion Nov 2024

Russia Interest Rate
In Russia, interest rate decisions are taken by the Central Bank of the Russian Federation. From September 16th of 2013, the official interest rate is the one-week auction repo rate. Until September 15th of 2013, the official interest rate was the refinancing rate, which was seen as a ceiling for borrowing money and a benchmark for calculating tax payments.
Actual Previous Highest Lowest Dates Unit Frequency
21.00 21.00 21.00 4.25 2003 - 2024 percent Daily


News Stream
Bank of Russia Unexpectedly Holds Rate at 21%
The Bank of Russia held its key interest rate unchanged at the record high of 21% in its December meeting, surprising markets that expected a 200bps rate hike to 23%. The decision took place following reports that CBR Governor Nabiullina recently talked with President Putin and Russian business leaders, who have been vocal against high interest rates despite soaring inflation. The central bank cited low credit activity as the warrant for the pause in rate hikes, but reiterated that underlying inflation continued to rise amid higher expectations from households and business, driving the bank’s inflation forecast to rise for 2025 and 2026. The central bank also noted that the significant weakening of the ruble, unbalanced budget spending, and the ongoing labor force crisis contributed to soaring inflation. November data showed that annual headline inflation was at 8.9%, but early forecasts from the CBR have December's print near 9.5%, translating to the highest since February 2023.
2024-12-20
Bank of Russia Lifts Rate to Record of 21%
The Bank of Russia raised its key interest rate by 200bps to 21% in its October 2024 meeting, above market expectations of a 100bps increase, and signaled that it is likely to continue raising interest rates in its upcoming December meeting. The decision lifted the key interest rate to its highest on record, surpassing the extraordinary move that lifted the rate to 20% in response to the crash of the ruble following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The central bank noted that inflation has run much higher than expected in the earlier quarter as domestic demand outstripped the capacity of the Russian economy, which continues to be limited due to Western sanctions and a labor force crisis amid the diaspora of military-aged males since President Putin's military mobilization. Additionally, the marked increase in inflation expectations was magnified by a deterioration in trade conditions and expansionary fiscal policy in the 2024 Federal Budget.
2024-10-25
Russia Hikes Interest Rate by 100bps
The Bank of Russia raised the key rate by 100 bps to 19% in September due to high inflation, which is expected to exceed the 2024 forecast of 6.5-7.0%. Demand is growing faster than supply, prompting further rate hikes to curb inflation and return it to the 4.0-4.5% target by 2025. In August, price growth was 7.6% annualized, and inflation expectations are rising. Economic growth has slowed due to supply constraints and weaker external demand, but consumer activity remains strong, driven by rising incomes and high investment. The labor market is tight, with record-low unemployment and wage growth outpacing productivity. Tightened monetary conditions are pushing up market rates and affecting lending. Inflation risks are growing, linked to worsening foreign trade and high inflation expectations.
2024-09-13