Inflation increases to 3.8 percent in February

Inflation is measured each month as the increase in the consumer price index (CPI) relative to one year previously. The CPI not only provides an insight into price changes relative to one year previously (inflation) but also changes relative to the previous month. Prices for consumers rose by 1.1 percent in February relative to January.

Larger price increases for food

Prices for food products had an upward effect on inflation. Food products were 3.8 percent more expensive in February than in the same month the year before. In January, food prices were 3.1 percent higher. This larger price increase was mainly due to prices for meat, and bread and cereal products. The price changes for recreation and culture and home products such as furniture also contributed to the increase in inflation.

Price changes in the short term

The CPI not only provides an insight into price changes relative to one year previously (inflation) but also compared to the previous month. Consumer prices rose by 1.1 percent in February relative to January.

It is worth noting that when making comparisons with the previous month, seasonal factors must be taken into account. For example, airline tickets are more expensive during holiday months than in months outside the holiday season. Prices are temporarily higher then, but this is not a structural price increase. Due to these seasonal influences, month-on-month changes are often more volatile than year-on-year changes.

Inflation up in the euro area

CBS publishes two different inflation rates: one is based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI) and the other is based on the European Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices (HICP). According to the HICP, consumer goods and services in the Netherlands were 3.5 percent more expensive in February than they were one year previously. In January inflation was 3.0 percent according to the HICP. Inflation in the euro area as a whole was 2.4 percent in February, down from 2.5 percent in January.

In particular, in February the year-on-year price increase for food, beverages and tobacco was higher in the Netherlands than the eurozone average. Prices for other goods and services in the Netherlands also rose more sharply year on year than in the eurozone.

Difference between CPI and HICP

In order to facilitate comparison between countries, EU member states calculate a consumer price index according to internationally agreed definitions and methods. The European Central Bank (ECB) uses the HICP to formulate its monetary policies for the euro area. Most countries also produce their own national consumer price index.

For the Netherlands, the main difference between the CPI and the HICP is that the HICP does not take account of costs related to home ownership while the CPI does. In the Dutch CPI, these costs are calculated based on changes to rental property prices. These differences are explained in greater detail in the article Differences between consumer price figures.

New base year for CPI figures with effect from 2026

With effect from 2026, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) and the European Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices (HICP) will move to a new base year, from 2015=100 to 2025=100. An update to the classification of goods and services will also come into use in 2026, in order to reflect current consumption patterns better. The CPI will also be brought more into line with the HICP from 2026 onwards. It is worth noting that these changes will not affect inflation figures that have already been published. The first figures based on the new series with the reference year 2025 will be published in early February 2026.