The harmonised consumer price indices (HICP) have not replaced the national CPIs. They are intended for international comparisons and calculation of a price indices for the European Union.

The creation of the Monetary Union reinforced the role of the HICP, the principal instrument used to guide monetary policy in the eurozone.

In the case of France, the CPI and HICP follow quite similar trends, reflecting their methodological similarity. However, the CPI and HICP do not have the same scope: the HICP's scope covers final household consumption monetary expenditure.

The HICP monitors the "net" prices of administrative reimbursements, whereas the CPI monitors the "gross" prices, which are representative of the purchase price of the products consumed.

The indexes and weightings calculated are therefore different in the sectors where cost coverage by the national authorities is high (health, social welfare services).