Briefing
A recent report by NDR followed the work of a price collector on 2 November 2026, bringing to light the basis of official inflation measurement. According to the Federal Statistical Office, the Consumer Price Index and the harmonised index of consumer prices are based on monthly surveys at specified shops and locations. The provisional inflation figure for October 2026 is available; the final monthly figures are due on 11 November 2026 according to the announcement.
Official price statistics follow a clear structure. Around 190 reporting localities are defined nationwide. About 560 price collectors record the prices of selected goods and services on site. Catalogue and tariff data are also included. The results are submitted electronically to the Federal Statistical Office. This standardised combination of observation, electronic recording and administrative sources is intended to ensure comparability over time.
The central methodological principle is consistency: wherever possible, the same products are priced regularly at the same outlets. This is intended to limit distortions caused by changes in product ranges or differences between locations. In practice, however, constant checks are required. When items are temporarily unavailable, defined replacement rules are used to prevent gaps in the time series. Shop renovations, regional gaps in availability or changes in pack sizes are documented so that quality and quantity effects can be handled appropriately.
This reliability is crucial for policymakers, collective bargaining parties and households. The consumer price index serves as a reference for indexation, while the harmonised index of consumer prices is a benchmark for monitoring price trends in Europe. Methodological changes, the choice of reporting localities or technical innovations in data collection can affect comparability. As the Federal Statistical Office reports, adjustments to the harmonised index of consumer prices were introduced in January 2026 and documented in the quality reports.
The fieldwork shown in the report illustrates that the frequently quoted inflation rate is based on precise, labour-intensive data collection. It also makes clear where care and rules are intended to prevent distortions. The final October figures, due to be published on 11 November 2026, will provide the complete data basis for current economic policy assessments.
Editor: Mira Cadena (Article created with AI assistance).