Sweden Inflation Rises Less Than Expected

Consumer prices in Sweden rose by 0.3% year-on-year in August 2026, slightly up from 0.2% in July, which was the lowest reading since May 2025, but well below market expectations for a 0.6% increase, according to preliminary estimates. “Preliminary figures show a slightly higher inflation rate according to the CPI,” said Caroline Neander, price statistician at Statistics Sweden. On a monthly basis, consumer prices fell by 0.3%, matching the previous month. Meanwhile, the CPI with a fixed interest rate (CPIF), the Riksbank’s target measure, held at 0.7% year-on-year, unchanged from the prior month but slightly below the expected 0.8% gain. Stripping out volatile energy prices, a measure closely watched by the central bank, inflation eased marginally to 0.5% compared to the same month a year earlier.

Consumer prices in Sweden rose by 0.2% year-on-year in July 2026, confirming preliminary estimates and slowing from a 0.7% increase in the previous month. The latest figure also marked the softest rise since May last year, driven largely by lower prices for food and non-alcoholic beverages (-7.2% vs -6.8% in June), health (-6.4% vs -4.7%), and education services (-15.3% vs 3.4%). At the same time, inflation softened for housing and utilities (2.3% vs 4%) and transport (0.4% vs 3.5%). On the other hand, costs rebounded for clothing and footwear (0.4% vs -2.3%) and information and communication (1.4% vs -1.0%), while restaurants and accommodation services rose at a faster pace (3.5% vs 2.7%), reflecting seasonal price increases. On a monthly basis, consumer prices fell by 0.3%, the first decline in three months and reversing a 0.4% rise in June. Meanwhile, the CPI with a fixed interest rate (CPIF), the Riksbank’s target measure, rose 0.7% annually and fell 0.3% month-on-month in July.

Consumer prices in Sweden rose by 0.2% year-on-year in July 2026, slightly above market expectations for a 0.1% gain but easing from a 0.7% increase in the previous month, according to preliminary estimates. The latest reading also marked the softest rise since May last year. “Energy prices fell sharply in July, which contributed to the lower inflation rate according to the CPI and CPIF,” said Mikael Nordin, price statistician at Statistics Sweden. On a monthly basis, consumer prices fell by 0.3%, the first decline in three months and reversing a 0.4% rise in the preceding period. Meanwhile, the CPI with a fixed interest rate (CPIF), the Riksbank’s target measure, rose 0.7% year-on-year in July, easing from a 1.3% increase in June but slightly above expectations of a 0.6% gain. Still, the reading was the lowest since December 2020.