Dutch inflation rate stable at 1.8 percent

The inflation rate did not change in September 2005. Just as in August consumer prices were 1.8 percent higher than the year before, according to the consumer price index by Statistics Netherlands. The price developments of car fuel, clothing and shoes raised the inflation rate, while price drops for fresh vegetables and tuition eased it.

The Dutch inflation rate according to the European harmonised method was 1.7 percent, up 0.1 percent point on August.

Price increases of 0.8 percent in September  

In September consumer prices rose by an average of 0.8 percent on August. A similar price increase was measured in September on August 2004.

In September 2005 car fuels increased by 4.1 percent on August. Clothing and shoes also became more expensive. Fresh vegetables were cheaper. Tuition was partly abolished, since no tuition has to be paid for students aged 16 and 17 as of the start of the current school year.

Vegetables and tuition neutralised the increase in fuel prices

Petrol, diesel and LPG were 16.8 percent more expensive in September 2005 than in September 2004. In August 2005 the price difference was 12.3 percent. The price change for clothing and shoes was also higher in September than in August compared to last year. These price developments increased the inflation rate.

On the other hand there were the cheaper fresh vegetables and the partial abolition of tuition.

Prices in Nederland increased less than prices in the Eurozone

The Dutch inflation rate according to the European harmonised method (HICP) in September 2005 was 1.7 percent. This is 0.1 percent point higher than in August. Eurostat, the European statistical bureau, expects the Eurozone inflation rate in September to increase to an average of 2.5 percent. In August the inflation rate in the Eurozone averaged 2.2 percent.

The Netherlands remains one of the countries with the lowest inflation rates in Europe. In the Eurozone only Finland had a lower inflation rate in August 2005.

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