Sweden Inflation Hits 2.8% in April 2026, Above March Level

Sweden's consumer price index climbed to 2.8 percent year-on-year in April 2026, according to fresh data from Statistics Sweden (SCB) released on May 8 at 08:00 CEST. The latest reading marks an increase from March's 2.6 percent and met analysts' forecasts in a Bloomberg survey. Core inflation, tracked by the CPIF measure, stood at 2.5 percent. Markets are now watching the Riksbank closely. Sweden's central bank is scheduled to announce its next interest rate decision on May 15. Any upside or downside surprise in the inflation data could shift expectations around potential rate cuts. Recent reports had already pointed to rising service prices. The new CPI figures add to the picture as policymakers weigh their next move for the Swedish economy. Statistics Sweden, also known as SCB, releases the CPI monthly. The release for April 2026 occurred on May 8 at 08:00 Central European Summer Time. The Bloomberg survey of analysts had predicted a year-on-year rate of 2.8 percent for the headline CPI. The previous month, March 2026, had shown an annual rate of 2.6 percent. The core inflation measure, CPIF, came in at 2.5 percent. The Riksbank, Sweden's central bank, holds its next monetary policy meeting on May 15. Any deviation in inflation data, either higher or lower than expected, could alter views on future rate cuts. Recent economic reports had already indicated an increase in service prices.