Argentina, at 140%, led the world in 1979 inflation

Argentina led the world's inflation rates in 1979 with prices soaring 140 says the International Labor Organization.Kuwait was at the other end of the scale, with 4.4 percent.

Inflation in most African nations was more than 20 percent, with Egypt's 9.8 percent rate being an exception.

Asia's inflation ranged from 10 to 25 percent, while most Latin American countries had rates over 30 percent.

The ILO attributes the escalation in inflation to oil price increases.