Press release: 12.767-065/22

Inflation increased to 5.9% in February 2022 (HICP: 5.5%)

Vienna, 2022-03-17 – In February 2022, the inflation rate was 5.9%, as Statistics Austria reports (January 2022: 5.0%). Expenditures for transport (+10.6% compared to February 2021, including fuels +29.3%) proved to be the most important price driver, followed by expenditures for housing, water and energy (+7.7%, including gas +64.3%, %, electricity +14.9%, heating oil +48.9%). The consumer price index (CPI 2020) was at 106.7, while the average price level increased by 1.3% compared to January 2022.

"In Austria, inflation reached 5.9% in February 2022, the highest level since August 1984, when the inflation rate was 6.0%. Strong price drivers are the continuing high fuel prices and household energy, where the price spiral has turned sharply upwards. Without the price increases in these areas, the inflation rate would have been 3.8%," explains Statistics Austria Director General Tobias Thomas.

The index level of the harmonised index of consumer prices (HICP 2015) was 115.41 in February 2022 (January 2022 revised: 113.93) with a harmonised inflation rate at 5.5%.

For more detailed information please refer to the German version.