Research & tools · 5 min read · 5 steps · Updated 16 November 2026

How to use OECD.Stat for inflation research

OECD.Stat provides harmonised CPI data for 38 advanced economies going back decades. Here's how to find the right series, download it, and use it for international comparisons.

The OECD Data Explorer is one of the best free sources of harmonised inflation data across advanced economies. Because all OECD members report using standardised methodology frameworks (aligned to international CPI standards), comparisons across countries are far more meaningful than comparing national CPI headline rates, which often use different methodologies. This guide walks through the key series, the pitfalls to avoid, and how to download data efficiently.

Note: The OECD portal was redesigned in 2024. Some older tutorials reference the legacy "OECD.Stat" interface — the new portal is at data.oecd.org with a separate data explorer. Both remain accessible as of 2026.

Find the CPI series in OECD Data Explorer

Navigate to data.oecd.org/price/inflation-cpi.htm for the headline CPI indicator. This gives you annual or monthly year-on-year CPI change for all OECD members, plus a few partner economies. By default it shows "Total" (all items) as a growth rate.

For more control, go to the full data explorer at data-explorer.oecd.org and search for "Consumer Prices (CPI)" under Prices and Purchasing Power Parities. The dataset identifier is CPI. From here you can filter by subject (total, food, energy, all items less food and energy), measure (growth rate, index), frequency (monthly or annual), and country.

Choose the right subject filter for your analysis

The OECD CPI dataset has a "Subject" dimension with dozens of options. The most important ones for inflation analysis are:

CPALTT01 — CPI all items (headline). Use for overall inflation comparisons.
CPGRLE01 — CPI all items less food and energy (core inflation). Best for underlying inflation comparisons.
CPGREN01 — CPI energy. Shows how much energy is contributing across countries.
CPGRFO01 — CPI food. Useful for food inflation cross-country analysis.

For index levels (rather than growth rates), set the "Measure" filter to "Index, 2015=100". This lets you calculate cumulative inflation between any two dates — more informative than growth rates for understanding purchasing power erosion. Our cumulative inflation term explains the calculation.

Download the data in the right format

Once you have filtered to the series you want, use the "Download" button in the OECD Data Explorer to export as CSV or Excel. For programmatic access, the OECD also provides a free SDMX-JSON API. A typical API request for annual CPI growth rates across all countries looks like:

https://stats.oecd.org/SDMX-JSON/data/CPI/CPALTT01.../GRW?startTime=2000&endTime=2026

The FRED database also mirrors many OECD CPI series and may be easier to query if you are already using FRED for US data. Search for "OECD CPI [country name]" to find the relevant series code. The World Bank WDI (indicator FP.CPI.TOTL.ZG) provides even broader country coverage including non-OECD economies, which our World Bank WDI guide covers in detail.

Check methodological differences before comparing countries

OECD harmonisation reduces but does not eliminate methodological differences. Three important caveats:

Shelter measurement: The US CPI includes Owners' Equivalent Rent (~26% of US CPI). Most European measures (including euro area HICP) do not include OER — they use actual rents only. This makes US CPI appear structurally higher than European HICP during periods of rising imputed rents. The OECD notes these differences in its CPI methodology FAQ.
Basket weights: Even with harmonised methodology, basket weights vary — a country where food is 20% of the basket will respond differently to food price shocks than one where food is 10%.
Revisions: OECD data may lag national statistical office publications by 1–2 months. For the most current data, always check the national source first (BLS, ONS, Eurostat), then use OECD for historical cross-country panels.

Use OECD data alongside our inflation explorer

Our inflation explorer visualises annual CPI data sourced from the World Bank WDI — which in turn draws from national statistical offices. For quick country comparisons and trend visualisation, the explorer is faster and more accessible than navigating OECD.Stat. Use the OECD portal when you need: monthly data (the WDI is annual), specific sub-components like core inflation across countries, or data going further back for historical research.

A useful research workflow: use our explorer for visual orientation → identify countries of interest → go to OECD.Stat for the monthly core CPI series → verify with the national statistical office for the most recent data. The IMF World Economic Outlook database is another complement, particularly for inflation forecasts and emerging market economies not covered by the OECD.

Sources & further reading

Terms in this guide

consumer price index cpi core inflation hicp cumulative inflation base effect

Frequently asked questions

Is OECD CPI data free to use?

Yes — all OECD statistics are free to access, download, and use with attribution. The OECD Data Portal and the legacy OECD.Stat are both free. The OECD requires attribution in publications ("Source: OECD (year), [dataset title], OECD Publishing, Paris"). There is no paywall for the core statistical datasets, though some OECD publications and analytical reports are paywalled.

How does OECD CPI differ from the World Bank WDI inflation series?

Both use national CPI data from official statistical offices, but they differ in coverage and frequency. The OECD covers only its 38 member countries (plus some partner economies) but provides monthly data and detailed components. The World Bank WDI covers 200+ countries globally but provides annual data only, and the indicator (FP.CPI.TOTL.ZG) is headline CPI growth only — no core CPI breakdown. For advanced economy research requiring monthly frequency or core CPI, use OECD. For broad cross-country comparisons including emerging markets and developing economies, use World Bank WDI. For the widest possible coverage with the most detail, use a combination of both.

Can I access historical OECD CPI data going back to the 1960s?

Yes — for many OECD member countries, annual CPI data goes back to the 1960s or earlier. Monthly data availability varies: it typically starts in the 1970s for most members. The OECD also publishes the Historical Statistics dataset which extends some series back to the 1950s. For pre-1960 data, the MeasuringWorth project compiles long historical price series for the US and UK going back to the 18th century — though these use different methodologies than modern CPI.