Inflation decreases to 2.8 percent in December

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 year-on-year price changes (inflation), but also month-on-month changes. Prices for consumers were virtually the same in December as in November.

Now that the December figure is known, the inflation rate for the year as a whole can also be calculated. On average, consumer prices were 3.3 percent higher in 2025 than they were in the previous year.

Inflation down due to price changes for bungalow park accommodation and motor fuels

The change in the price of bungalow park accommodation contributed the most to the decline in the inflation rate. In December 2025, a stay in a bungalow park was 4.5 percent cheaper than in the same month of 2024; in November, the price drop was 0.3 percent. The change in the price of motor fuels also had a downward effect on inflation.

Price changes in the short term

The CPI not only provides an insight into year-on-year price changes (inflation), but also month-on-month changes. Compared to November, consumer prices remained virtually unchanged in December.

It is worth noting that when making comparisons with the previous month, seasonal factors must be taken into account. For example, clothing is less expensive during sales than in other periods. Prices are temporarily lower then, but this is not a structural price decrease. Due to these seasonal influences, month-on-month changes are often more volatile than year-on-year changes.

Euro area inflation down

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 2.5 percent more expensive in December, year on year. In November, inflation was 2.6 percent according to the HICP. Inflation in the euro area fell from 2.1 percent in November to 2.0 percent in December.

In particular, energy prices in the euro area were lower in December, whereas they were higher in the Netherlands, year on year. Furthermore, the year-on-year price increase for industrial goods, food, beverages, tobacco and services was higher in the Netherlands than the euro area average.

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.

More information

The dashboard on consumer prices shows inflation according to the CPI and the HICP. In addition, the dashboard provides more detailed information on price changes for a number of consumer goods and services. The personal inflation calculator allows people to get a better understanding of how price changes affect them.