Finnish Inflation Rises Near 2-Year High

The annual inflation rate in Finland rose to 1.5% in April 2026 from 1.3% in the previous month. This marked the sharpest increase since May 2024, largely driven by higher transport costs (5.3% vs 3.1% in March), particularly for diesel (35.9% vs 18.3%) and gasoline (16.1% vs 9.2%). Inflation also accelerated for food (1.7% vs 0.5%), health (3.6% vs 1.9%), information and communication (5.2% vs 4.8%), and education services (11.5% vs 11.1%), while alcoholic beverages and tobacco remained steady at 3.6%. Meanwhile, costs for insurance and financial services (-3.1% vs -3.4%) and housing and utilities (-0.3% vs 1.2%) declined, although heating oil costs surged further (72% vs 41.7%). On a monthly basis, consumer prices rose 0.1%, slowing from a 0.7% increase in March. Harmonized consumer prices, the ECB’s preferred measure, increased 2.4% year-on-year, slightly easing from 2.5% in the previous month.

The annual inflation rate in Finland further climbed to 1.3% in March 2026 from a thirteen-month high of 0.6% in the previous month. It marked the highest reading since June 2024, primarily driven by a rebound in housing and utilities (1.2% vs -0.2% in February) and a notable increase in transport (3.1% vs 0%) amid global energy disruptions driven by the ongoing Middle East conflict. In contrast, costs eased for food and non-alcoholic beverages (0.5% vs 1.4%), furniture, household appliances and general housekeeping (2.1% vs 3.9%), and restaurants and hotels (2.5% vs 2.6%). In addition, deflation deepened for clothing and footwear (-0.9% vs -0.1%), while it remained unchanged for alcoholic beverages and tobacco (3.6% vs 3.6%). On a monthly basis, consumer prices eased to 0.7% from a more than three-year high of 1.1% in February. Meanwhile, harmonized consumer prices rose 2.5% in March, from 1.8% in the prior month, marking its highest level since September 2023.

Consumer prices in Finland rose 0.6% year-on-year in February 2026, rebounding from a 0.2% decline in January. This marked the highest reading since January 2025, largely due to a significant easing of deflation in housing and utilities (-0.2% vs -2.3% in January) and prices stalling in transport (0% vs -0.2%). Overall inflation was also driven by higher consumer prices in furnishings, household equipment and routine household maintenance (3.9% vs 1.6%), recreation, sport and culture (1.7% vs 1.3%), and restaurants and accommodation (2.6% vs 2%). In contrast, costs edged down for food and non-alcoholic beverages (1.4% vs 1.6%) and alcoholic beverages and tobacco (3.6% vs 3.7%), while it declined for clothing and footwear (-0.1% vs 0.3%). On a monthly basis, consumer prices increased to a more than three-year high of 1.1%, recovering from a 0.2% drop in the previous month. Meanwhile, the harmonized consumer prices rose 1.8% from 1% in January, marking its highest level since September.