Norway: Inflation is stable in December, remaining well above Norges Bank’s target
Consumer prices were unchanged in December compared to the previous month, contrasting the 0.5% rise in November. December’s reading was primarily due to lower food and non-alcoholic beverage prices compensating for costlier housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels, in addition to more expensive furnishings, household equipment and routine maintenance.
Inflation remained stable at November’s 3.5% in December. Inflation therefore surpassed Norges Bank’s target rate of 2.0% again. Meanwhile, annual average inflation rose to 2.8% in December from 2.6% in November.
Core consumer prices—which are adjusted for tax changes and exclude energy prices—were unchanged in December compared to the previous month, contrasting the 0.3% rise in November. Core inflation decelerated to 2.1% in December from 2.2% in the prior month, but was still higher than market analysts’ expectations of 1.9%.