HICPstä

HICPstä is a statistical measure used primarily by national statistical agencies and the European Central Bank to monitor inflation trends within the single European market. The abbreviation stands for "Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices – Swedish translation," and it represents an adaptation of the Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices (HICP) that aligns specifically with the data collection and classification systems employed in Sweden. The index is calculated through a two-stage weighting process: first, the national statistical system assigns weights to individual goods and services based on their share in household consumption, and second, the European Statistical System standardises these weights to ensure comparability across member states. HICPstä encompasses all final consumption expenditures of household units residing in Sweden, including dining out, housing, transportation, and health-related services. The index is published on a monthly basis and is expressed as a percentage change relative to the preceding year. It plays a crucial role in monetary policy decisions, as the European Central Bank targets a near‑zero inflation rate over the medium term. The index also serves as a reference point for government fiscal policies, wage negotiations, and social security benefits adjustments, ensuring that price movements are accurately reflected across various economic sectors. Although HICPstä is specific to Sweden, it is part of the broader HICP framework that harmonises inflation data across all European Union member states, facilitating transparent economic comparisons and policymaking at the European level.