Sweden October Inflation Confirmed at 0.9%

The annual inflation rate in Sweden rose by 0.5% in February 2026, confirming initial estimates and unchanged from the previous month. This also remained the highest reading since October, mainly driven by higher costs of housing and utilities (0.8% vs -0.1% in January), particularly electricity prices and rent increases for rental apartments. Additionally, prices rose at a faster pace for restaurants and accommodation services (3.8% vs 3.1%) and insurance and financial services (3.5% vs 3.3%), while deflation softened for health (-4.1% vs -4.9%) and transport (-1.2% vs -1.7%). On the other hand, costs declined for clothing and footwear (-0.3% vs 0.4%) and recreation, sport and culture (-0.5% vs 0.6%), while inflation moderated for food and non-alcoholic beverages (1.8% vs 3.2%). On a monthly basis, consumer prices went up by 0.6% in February, accelerating from a 0.1% gain in January. Meanwhile, the CPIF, the Riksbank’s target measure, increased 1.7% annually, and 0.6% monthly.

The annual inflation rate in Sweden was unchanged at 0.5% in February 2026, slightly less than market expectations of 0.6%, according to preliminary estimates. Still, this remains the highest reading since October 2025. “The inflation rate according to the flash CPI was unchanged in February, which was mainly affected by a lower price increase on food and by higher housing costs,” said Mikael Nordin, statistician at Statistics Sweden. On a monthly basis, consumer prices increased by 0.6% in February, below forecasts of a 0.8% growth and following a 0.1% rise in January. Meanwhile, the CPI with a fixed interest rate (CPIF), the Riskbank’s target measure, rose by 1.7% year-on-year in February, easing from a 2.0% increase in the previous month and coming in slightly below expectations of a 1.8% advance.

Sweden’s annual inflation rate rose to 0.5% in January 2026, slightly above initial estimates of 0.4% and accelerating from 0.3% in the previous month. The latest figure also marked the highest reading since October, driven by higher costs of food and non-alcoholic beverages (3.2% vs 3.7% in December), alcoholic beverages, tobacco and narcotics (2.9% vs 2.4%) and clothing and footwear (0.4% vs -0.5%). At the same time, prices declined at a softer pace for housing and utilities (-0.1% vs -2.6%), mainly due to rising electricity and rent costs. Meanwhile, prices decreased for health (-4.9% vs 2.8%), while inflation softened for recreation, sport and culture (0.6% vs 3.5%) and education services (3.5% vs 6.5%). On a monthly basis, consumer prices rose by 0.1% in January, following a flat reading in the preceding period. The CPIF, the Riksbank’s target measure, increased 2% annually and 0.3% monthly.