The inflation rate increased to 3.4 percent in March from 3.1 percent in February. Swedish consumer prices increased on average by 0.9 percent from February to Mars 2008. The CPI for March 2008 was 298.08 (1980=100).
Higher prices on clothing and footwear (8.1 %) and higher mortgage interest costs (2.6 %) contributed upwards with 0.4 and 0.2 percentage points respectively to the monthly change. Higher prices for food and beverages (1.2 %), restaurants and hotels (1.0 %) and transports (0.7 %) also contributed upwards with 0.1 percentage points each.
The underlying inflation, according to CPIX, was 2.3 percent in March. The Harmonised Index (HICP) increased by 0.9 percent from February to March and has increased by 3.2 percent since March 2007. The Net Price Index (NPI) increased by 1.1 percent from February to March and has increased by 2.6 percent since March 2007.