European Child Care Services HICP by Country

Based on the provided data, Poland leads in the Harmonized Index of Consumer Prices (HICP) for child care services in Europe with a value of 15.53. It is followed closely by Romania and Lithuania, each showing values above 12. Other notable countries include Sweden, Malta, and France, which are also major contributors with values ranging from 12.48 to 12.26. Conversely, Bulgaria exhibits the lowest value at 2.376, indicating lower costs or a different market structure.

Year-on-year variations indicate that Poland experienced a significant increase of 11.68%, suggesting a rising trend in child care service costs. Lithuania, Sweden, and France also showed noticeable increases of 5.35%, 3.88%, and 3.74% respectively. Meanwhile, Bulgaria saw a steep decline of -24.87%, highlighting a decrease in costs or a different economic situation affecting the sector.

Over the past five years, the Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) in various countries reveals moderate growth trends in most, with some exceptions like Bulgaria which saw significant declines. Key countries, including Germany, Austria, and Belgium, showed stable annual increases, indicating consistent growth in child care service costs.

Future trends to watch for include the potential growth in child care costs in Eastern European countries like Poland and Romania, driven by economic factors and increasing demand. Additionally, Western European countries like France and Sweden may continue their upward trends but at a more moderated pace. Monitoring the post-pandemic recovery and economic adjustments will be crucial for further accurate forecasts.