Helsinki, September 14 (QNA) - Finland's annual inflation rate rose to 2.2% in August 2026, up from 2.1% in each of the previous three months, marking its highest level since March 2024.
Data from Statistics Finland indicated that the increase was driven by accelerating prices across several key components of the consumer basket, led by transportation, where prices rose by 7.3% year-on-year, compared to 5.8% in July.
Inflation also accelerated for furniture, household equipment, and routine household maintenance, reaching 4.7%, up from 3.3% the previous month.
Alternatively, the price growth for housing and utilities slowed to 1.3% from 2.1%. Inflation also eased in the healthcare sector to 3% from 3.5% and in information and communication to 3.1% from 3.7%, while education costs saw a notable decline to 5.8% from 11.5% in July.
On a monthly basis, consumer prices fell by 0.2% in August, following a 0.2% rise in July, indicating a decline in price levels month-over-month, despite the increase in the annual inflation rate. (QNA)