14.04.202606:32:11UTC+00Sweden March Inflation Confirmed at 5-Month Top

Sweden’s annual inflation rate edged up to 0.6% in March 2026 from 0.5% in February, in line with preliminary estimates. This was the highest rate in five months and was largely driven by a 16.3% jump in fuel prices (compared with an 8.7% decline in February), the strongest increase since December 2022. Within fuel, diesel and gasoline recorded the largest gains, pushing transport costs up by 3.3% (after a 1.2% decrease previously).

Prices also continued to rise in several service categories, including education (3.2%, slightly down from 3.5%), restaurants and accommodation (3.3% vs 3.8%), and insurance and financial services (3.4% vs 3.5%). In contrast, prices fell for furnishings, household equipment and maintenance (-3.6% vs -3.2%), health (-4.6%), and housing and utilities (-0.4% vs 0.8%), although rents for rental apartments remained comparatively high (4% vs 3.8%).

On a monthly basis, consumer prices declined 0.6% in March, reversing the 0.6% increase recorded in February. Meanwhile, the CPIF—the Riksbank’s target inflation measure—rose 1.6% year-on-year and fell 0.6% month-on-month.