Sweden Inflation Edges Up to 0.6% in March

The annual inflation rate in Sweden edged up to 0.6% in March 2026 from 0.5% in February, according to preliminary estimates. This remains the highest reading since October 2025. “Preliminary figures show that the inflation rate according to the CPI rose slightly in March, where transport costs increased and housing cost fell”, says Caroline Neander, statistician at Statistics Sweden. On a monthly basis, consumer prices decreased by 0.6%, the first decline in four months, reversing a 0.6% rise in February. Meanwhile, the CPI with a fixed interest rate (CPIF), the Riskbank’s target measure, increased by 1.6% year-on-year in March, easing slightly from a 1.7% rise in the previous month and marking the lowest level since December 2024.

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.