1.1. Contact organisation
Statistics Estonia
1.2. Contact organisation unit
Economic and Environmental Statistics Department
1.3. Contact name
Confidential because of GDPR
1.4. Contact person function
Confidential because of GDPR
1.5. Contact mail address
51 Tatari Street
10134 Tallinn
ESTONIA
1.6. Contact email address
Confidential because of GDPR
1.7. Contact phone number
Confidential because of GDPR
1.8. Contact fax number
Confidential because of GDPR
2.1. Metadata last certified
7 September 2025
2.2. Metadata last posted
7 September 2025
2.3. Metadata last update
7 September 2025
3.1. Data description
The harmonised index of consumer prices (HICP) is a consumer price index (CPI) that is calculated according to a harmonised approach. It measures the change over time of the prices of consumer goods and services acquired by households (inflation).
Due to the common methodology, the HICPs of the countries and European aggregates can be directly compared.
3.2. Classification system
European classification of individual consumption according to purpose (ECOICOP).
3.3. Coverage - sector
The HICP covers the final monetary consumption expenditure of the household sector.
3.4. Statistical concepts and definitions
The main statistical variables are price indices.
3.5. Statistical unit
The basic unit of statistical observation are prices for consumer products.
3.6. Statistical population
See the information under the next points.
3.6.1. Statistical target population
The target statistical universe is the 'household final monetary consumption expenditure' (HFMCE) on the economic territory of the country by both resident and non-resident households. The household sector to which the definition refers, includes all individuals or groups of individuals irrespective of, in particular, the type of area in which they live, their position in the income distribution and their nationality or residence status. These definitions follow the national accounts concepts in the European System of Accounts.
3.6.1.1. Statistical target population - national specifics
The expenditures of persons living in institutions are included to HFCE. As the main data source Household Business Survey (HBS) does not include the expenditures of persons living in institutions, they are calculated on the basis of an ad hoc survey and on the basis of a survey on economic and social conditions of Estonian students. The share of this expenditure in the total HFCE is 0.3% (in 2018).
The total expenditures of travel services are obtained from the Balance of Payments (BOP) estimated by Estonian Bank.
According to the domestic concept non-resident and resident household’s expenditures within economic territory are included to HFCE, but resident household’s expenditures incurred abroad are excluded. For HFMCE calculation domestic concept is used.
3.7. Reference area
See the information under the next point.
3.7.1. Geographical coverage
The HICP refers to the economic territory of a country as referred to in paragraph 2.05 of Annex A to ESA 2010, with the exception that the extraterritorial enclaves situated within the boundaries of a Member State or a country are included and the territorial enclaves situated in the rest of the world are excluded.
3.8. Coverage - Time
See the information under the next points.
3.8.1. Start of time series
The HICP series started in January 1997.
3.8.2. Start of time series - national specifics
3.9. Base period
2015=100.
The following units are used:
- Index point
- Percentage change on the same period of the previous year (rates)
- Percentage change on the previous period (rates)
- Percentage share of the total (weights).
HICP is a monthly statistics.
6.1. Institutional Mandate - legal acts and other agreements
Harmonised Indices of Consumer Prices (HICPs) are harmonised inflation figures required under the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union. Regulation (EU) 2016/792 of the European Parliament and the Council of 11 May 2016 (OJ L 135) sets the legal basis for establishing a harmonised methodology for the compilation of the HICP and the HICP-CT (harmonised index of consumer prices at constant tax rates).
This regulation is implemented by Commission Regulation (EU) 2020/1148 of 31 July 2020.
All the HICP legislation can be found in the HICP decicated section in Eurostat's website: Legislation - Eurostat (europa.eu).
Further documentation, namely recommendations on specific topics, can be found in the Methodology page.
6.1.1. Legal acts - deviations
HICP is compliant with HICP regulations and guidelines.
6.1.2. National legal acts and other agreements
There are no relevant national legal acts and/or other reporting agreements related to HICP production.
6.1.3. Access to administrative data
National authorities are obliged by law to grant access to administrative data for the purposes of statistics.
6.1.4. Organisation unit - portfolio
Economic and Environmental Statistics Department produces business, agricultural, environmental- and price statistics.
Two price statistics teams are responsible for the production of consumer, producer, service producer, agricultural, construction and house price indices and purchasing power parities.
Macroeconomic Statistics Department produces national accounts and government finance statistics.
Organigram is added as a separate file.
Annexes:
Structure of Statistics Estonia
6.1.5. Regional organisation of consumer price statistics
Regional price collectors belong to the staff of Central Office.
6.2. Institutional Mandate - data sharing
Statistics Estonia does not have any Institutional Mandate regarding data sharing.
7.1. Confidentiality - policy
Regulation (EC) No 223/2009 on European statistics (recital 24 and Article 20(4)) of 11 March 2009 (OJ L 87, p. 164), stipulates the need to establish common principles and guidelines ensuring the confidentiality of data used for the production of European statistics and the access to those confidential data with due account for technical developments and the requirements of users in a democratic society.
7.2. Confidentiality - data treatment
The dissemination of data collected for the purpose of producing official statistics is guided by the requirements provided for in § 34, § 35 and § 38 of the Official Statistics Act.
8.1. Release calendar
The release calendar of Statistics Estonia is publically available and published in the beginning of October for the full following year.
8.2. Release calendar access
Statistics Estonia website: Calendar | Statistikaamet
Eurostat website: HICP Release schedule.
8.3. Release policy - user access
In line with the Community legal framework and the European Statistics Code of Practice Eurostat disseminates European statistics on Eurostat's website (see point 10 - 'Accessibility and clarity') respecting professional independence and in an objective, professional and transparent manner in which all users are treated equitably. The detailed arrangements are governed by the Eurostat protocol on impartial access to Eurostat data for users.
At national level, Statistics Estonia: release date at 8 a.m. (7 a.m. CET) for all users.
Monthly.
10.1. Dissemination format - News release
Released by Eurostat.
10.2. Dissemination format - Publications
Publication is done by Eurostat.
10.3. Dissemination format - online database
HICPs are published on the database of Statistics Estonia and by Eurostat, in the following webpages, respectively:
- IA023: HARMONIZED INDEX OF CONSUMER PRICES, 2005 = 100 (MONTHS). Statistical database
- Database - Harmonised Indices of Consumer Prices (HICP) - Eurostat (europa.eu).
10.3.1. Publication levels
HICP and HICP-CT are disseminated nationally at 2-digit level. The principle for level-dissemination of the HICP is: main groups only, detailed figures could be found on Eurostat’s site.
HICPs index levels are disseminated with two decimals, rates with one decimal.
10.3.2. Publication by regions
We do not disseminate the HICP by regions.
10.3.3. Publication by households
We do not disseminate national consumer price indices for different types of households.
10.4. Dissemination format - microdata access
Restricted from publication
10.5. Dissemination format - other
See also the HICP dedicated section on Eurostat's website.
10.6. Documentation on methodology
The HICP Methodological Manual 2024 provides the reference methodology for the production of HICP.
10.6.1. Documentation on methodology - national specifics
Documentation on methodology can be found through the webpage: Consumer price index | Statistikaamet.
Consumer price index | Statistikaamet.
10.7. Quality management - documentation
See Eurostat's Compliance Monitoring Reports of 2006, 2010 and 2020, with the follow-up report of 2023, all available on under the webpage: Quality - Harmonised Indices of Consumer Prices (HICP) - Eurostat (europa.eu).
11.1. Quality assurance
See information under the next points.
11.1.1. Quality management - Compliance Monitoring
11.1.2. Quality assurance - national specifics
There are special guidelines for price collectors and also for central staff how to collect the data and how to compile the indices. A regular pre-publication meeting is held. Questions arising on sub-indices are discussed and, where necessary, clarified by the staff.
11.2. Quality management - assessment
See information under the next points.
11.2.1. Compliance monitoring - last report and main results
The last available compliance or follow-up report can be found in the dedicated HICP section on the webpage: Quality - Harmonised Indices of Consumer Prices (HICP) - Eurostat (europa.eu).
11.2.2. Quality assessment - national specifics
HICP indices are produced in compliance with HICP methodological requirements and standards. A national quality assessment of the HICP has not been made.
12.1. Relevance - User Needs
In addition to being a general measure of inflation, the HICP is also used in the areas of:
- wages, social benefit and contract indexation;
- economic forecasting and analysis;
- measuring specific price trends;
- accounting purposes and deflating other series;
- inflation targeting by central banks;
- cross-country economic comparisons.
The euro area (evolving composition) index is used by the European Central Bank (ECB) as the main indicator for monetary policy management. The ECB and the European Commission's Directorate-General for Economic and Financial Affairs (DG ECFIN) use the HICP for assessing price stability and price convergence required for entry into European Monetary Union.
Other users include: National Central Banks, financial institutions, economic analysts, the media and the public at large.
12.1.1. User Needs - national specifics
The main national HICP/CPI users are Estonian Bank, Ministry of Finance and other financial institutions, economic analysts, media and public at large.
12.2. Relevance - User Satisfaction
No special user satisfaction survey for HICP.
12.3. Completeness
All required ECOICOP indices at 5-digit level for HICP and HICP-CT are produced from January 2016 indices.
13.1. Accuracy - overall
The accuracy of source data is monitored by assessing the methodological soundness of price and weight sources and the adherence to the methodological recommendations. The accuracy of HICP is generally considered to be high.
13.2. Sampling error
Statistics Estonia does not produce numerical estimates of HICP sampling errors because they are difficult to quantify due to the complexity of price index structures and due to the common use of non-probability sampling. Consequently, no estimate for a global HICP sampling error could be produced.
13.3. Non-sampling error
For the HICPs non-sampling errors are not quantified.
13.3.1. Coverage error
Price collection is carried out in 9 county centres out of 15, which covers 88% of population.
13.3.1.1. Coverage error population
Population coverage: excluding individuals residing in special institutions.
13.3.1.2. Coverage error regions
The HICP refers to the whole economic territory of Estonia.
14.1. Timeliness
The full set of HICPs is published each month according to a pre-announced schedule, usually between 15 and 18 days after the end of the reference month. Each year, the January news release is published at the end of February to allow for the annual update of the weights of individual product groups and the relative country weights of Members States in the country-group aggregates.
The euro area flash estimate is published on the last working day of the reference month or shortly after that.
14.1.1. Time lag - final result
The full set of HICPs is published each month according to a pre-published release-calendar usually between 14 and 18 days after the end of the reference month.
14.1.2. Timeliness of sub-indices
There are no sub-indices for month t for which the prices do not refer to month t, but some period before that.
The minority of Heat energy (04.5.5) prices may refer to month t-1.
14.2. Punctuality
Since the March 1997, launch of the HICP release, the HICP for the country groups aggregates has always been published on the pre-announced release dates.
15.1. Comparability - geographical
HICPs across Member States aim to be comparable. Any differences at all levels of detail should only reflect differences in price changes or expenditure patterns.
To this end, concepts and methods have been harmonised by means of legislation. HICPs that deviate from these concepts and methods are deemed comparable if they result in an index that is estimated to differ systematically by less than or equal to 0.1 percentage points on average over one year against the previous year (Article 4 of Council and Parliament Regulation (EU) 2016/792).
15.2. Comparability - over time
HICP data considered to be comparable over time. There have been several improvements in methodology since HICP was introduced with the aim of improving reliability and comparability of the HICP. These changes may have introduced breaks in time series. However back calculations under the newer standards are performed when appropriate basic data is available.
15.3. Coherence - cross domain
Differences between the HICP and national CPI
Domestic approach is used for HICP. National approach is used for CPI. There are no consumption expenditures which are included in the HICP but excluded from CPI. Some elements of games of chance (lotteries) are included in the CPI but excluded from HICP. HICP weights are price updated to December, but CPI weights are not price updated.
15.4. Coherence - internal
The HICPs are internally coherent. Higher level aggregations are derived from detailed indices according to well-defined procedures.
Not available.
17.1. Data revision - policy
The HICP series, including back data, is revisable under the terms set in Articles 17-20 of Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/1148.
17.1.1. Data revision - policy - national specifics
The Estonian CPI is published as 'final' and is not subject to revision.
17.2. Data revision - practice
HICP may be revised in accordance with Regulation. There have been no principal revisions since the introduction of the Regulation. The change of reference year caused revisions to some previously published inflation rates because of rounding effects.
18.1. Source data
See information under the next points.
18.1.1. Weights
Sources of weights: weights derived mainly from the National Accounts and Household Budget Survey data. These data are checked and updated with data from other statistical and non-statistical sources.
To obtain the HFMCE values preliminary national accounts estimates of household consumption expenditure were used. The 4th quarter of 2024 national accounts estimates was derived on the basis of the 3rd quarter of 2024 and changes between the detailed structural breakdown of the 4th quarter of 2023 in comparison with the 3rd quarter of 2023 have been taken into account.
Frequency of weights update: annually.
The weights are price-updated.
18.1.1.1. Compilation at elementary aggregate level
Restricted from publication
18.1.1.2. List of elementary aggregates
Restricted from publication
18.1.1.3. Compilation of sub-index weights
Restricted from publication
18.1.1.4. Price updating
Price-updating is carried out to the previous year's December price level.
ECOICOP 5-digit level is applied for price-updating at elementary aggregate levels.
As we tried to start from t-1 the price-updating between t-2 and t-1 was not applied.
18.1.2. Prices
The main sources of price data are manual price collection (online and in shops), central price collection and web scraping.
18.1.2.1. Prices Data Source - detailed information
Restricted from publication
18.1.2.2. Price collection survey
Restricted from publication
18.1.2.3. Administrative data sources
Data of the Social Insurance Board is used for the compilation of ECOICOP 12.4 'Social protection'.
18.1.2.4. Transaction data - general information
Transaction data currently are not used for price collection.
18.1.2.5. Web scraping - general information
Restricted from publication
18.1.3. Sampling
See information under the next points.
18.1.3.1. Sampling design - locations for survey
County centres and cities are included in the geographical sample.
The criteria, for selecting the localities where price collections are carried out was to cover all the most important regions of the country.
18.1.3.2. Sampling design - outlets
The part of different shop chains on the market is very high in Estonia. The weight of different chains is followed by staff and if needed the corrections are made.
The outlet sample is further augmented and updated by price collectors’ experience and knowledge of the local market. There are not any categories of outlets excluded.
18.2. Frequency of data collection
Price data is collected every month.
18.3. Data collection
See information under the next points.
18.3.1. Timing of price collection
The observation period is mainly the week including the 15th day of the month.
18.3.2. Devices for price collection
Electronic devices are used for price collection.
18.4. Data validation
All price changes are checked item by item. A regular pre-publication meeting is held. Questions arising on sub-indices are discussed and, where necessary, clarified by the staff.
18.4.1. Data validation - Survey data
First steps of data validation are carried out at the time the data are entered into tablet by price collectors. Several arithmetical validation rules allow to avoid data entry errors.
The price entered is compared with the price for the same product, in the same shop, in the previous month.
CPI staff compare collected prices with the previous month prices. Min and max prices are determined. In case of extreme prices or price changes CPI staff try to find out the reason. If a price is erroneous, it is rejected and price is corrected.
18.4.2. Data validation - transaction data, web scraping and large administrative data
Web scraping; number of records and items in comparison with previous period.
18.4.3. Data validation - weights
New weights are compared with previous year weights, CPI weights and developments of GDP.
18.4.4. Indices
The plausibility of indices are checked by CPI staff and at least two sets of questions are compiled. A regular pre-publication meeting is held, questions raised are discussed and where necessary clarified by the staff.
18.5. Data compilation
The Estonian HICP is a Laspeyres-type index. Ratio of arithmetic mean prices is used for computation of lowest level indices. Choice of the formula is historical.
The number of decimals that we apply for:
- Price observations - two decimals for product-offer.
- Weights - unrounded.
- The compilation and transmission of index figures and rates of change - unrounded.
- For publication of index figures and rates of change - two decimals for indices and one decimal for rate of change.
18.5.1. Elementary price index formulae
Arithmetic mean prices are calculated for each price collection area. Price collection is carried out in 9 counties of which two have 2 price collection areas which gives all together 11 price collection areas. From average prices of 11 price collection areas, 5 average regional prices are calculated. Four regions contain two price collection areas and one contains three price collection areas. Average regional prices are calculated using the arithmetic mean formula applied to the averages of the areas. Regional indices are calculated and weighted together using regions' weights to derive an elementary aggregate index.
18.5.2. Aggregation of different data sources
Restricted from publication
18.5.3. Chaining, linking and splicing methods
Indices are calculated using base prices of last December. Then all aggregation is calculated on the base December (t-1)=100. At aggregated level annual chain-link method is applied where December (t-1) is a linking month.
18.5.4. Quality adjustments and replacements
Restricted from publication
18.5.4.1. Quality adjustment - detailed information
Restricted from publication
18.5.4.2. Replacements - detailed information
Restricted from publication
18.5.5. Administered prices
We update the classification of administered prices on an annual basis. If there is a need for additional explanations the other parties could be involved.
Levies and notary fees are directly influenced by government decisions, their share in the HICP is 0.26%. There are some products that are significantly influenced by government (local municipalities) decisions, such as water supply, sewage collection, heat energy, hospital services, some transport services, postal services, pre-primary education.
18.5.6. HICP at constant tax rates
Tax changes enter our index from the month they come into force, even if the products are sold with both the old and new tax tariff simultaneously (tobacco products). There has not been a tax change that occurs during the month.
18.5.7. HICP flash estimate
Flash estimate is calculated using not fully confirmed price data and also some important information on energy products are not available at this time.
18.5.8. Other quality and processing issues
See information under the next points.
18.5.8.1. Missing prices
The main reasons for failing to collect some prices are changes in stocks and price collection in small towns. If it is needed, the average price movement of other regions is applied to the base price of the region with missing current price.
18.5.8.2. Sales and discounts
Sales prices are taken into account. Discounts connected to loyalty cards are not taken into account.
18.5.9. Specific product groups
Restricted from publication
18.5.9.1. Seasonal items
Restricted from publication
18.6. Adjustment
See the information under the next point.
18.6.1. Seasonal adjustment
The HICP is not seasonally adjusted.
None.
The harmonised index of consumer prices (HICP) is a consumer price index (CPI) that is calculated according to a harmonised approach. It measures the change over time of the prices of consumer goods and services acquired by households (inflation).
Due to the common methodology, the HICPs of the countries and European aggregates can be directly compared.
7 September 2025
The main statistical variables are price indices.
The basic unit of statistical observation are prices for consumer products.
See the information under the next points.
See the information under the next point.
HICP is a monthly statistics.
The accuracy of source data is monitored by assessing the methodological soundness of price and weight sources and the adherence to the methodological recommendations. The accuracy of HICP is generally considered to be high.
The following units are used:
- Index point
- Percentage change on the same period of the previous year (rates)
- Percentage change on the previous period (rates)
- Percentage share of the total (weights).
The Estonian HICP is a Laspeyres-type index. Ratio of arithmetic mean prices is used for computation of lowest level indices. Choice of the formula is historical.
The number of decimals that we apply for:
- Price observations - two decimals for product-offer.
- Weights - unrounded.
- The compilation and transmission of index figures and rates of change - unrounded.
- For publication of index figures and rates of change - two decimals for indices and one decimal for rate of change.
See information under the next points.
Monthly.
The full set of HICPs is published each month according to a pre-announced schedule, usually between 15 and 18 days after the end of the reference month. Each year, the January news release is published at the end of February to allow for the annual update of the weights of individual product groups and the relative country weights of Members States in the country-group aggregates.
The euro area flash estimate is published on the last working day of the reference month or shortly after that.
HICPs across Member States aim to be comparable. Any differences at all levels of detail should only reflect differences in price changes or expenditure patterns.
To this end, concepts and methods have been harmonised by means of legislation. HICPs that deviate from these concepts and methods are deemed comparable if they result in an index that is estimated to differ systematically by less than or equal to 0.1 percentage points on average over one year against the previous year (Article 4 of Council and Parliament Regulation (EU) 2016/792).
HICP data considered to be comparable over time. There have been several improvements in methodology since HICP was introduced with the aim of improving reliability and comparability of the HICP. These changes may have introduced breaks in time series. However back calculations under the newer standards are performed when appropriate basic data is available.
