Inflation at 2.4 percent in February according to flash estimate

Inflation is measured every month as the year-on-year change in the Consumer Price Index (CPI). The CPI also provides an insight into how prices changed compared to the previous month. According to the flash estimate, consumer prices were 1.0 percent higher in February than they were in January.

The regular consumer price index (CPI) figures for February will be published on 10 March.

Short-term price trends

According to the flash estimate, consumer prices were 1.0 percent higher in February than they were in January. It should be noted that when comparing two consecutive months, seasonal influences must be taken into account. For example, the average price of clothing is lower during sales periods. However, these lower prices are temporary rather than structural.

Price changes across various product groups

In addition to the inflation rate, CBS also publishes price changes for a number of product groups as part of its flash estimate. These product groups are aggregations of spending categories for a particular theme, such as ‘all services’. The price changes for all the categories in the CPI will be published on 10 March.

HICP flash estimate

Statistics Netherlands publishes two different figures for inflation. One is based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI) and the other on the European Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices (HICP). According to the HICP flash estimate, inflation stood at 2.3 percent in February. In January, the HICP inflation rate was 2.2 percent.

In the case of the Netherlands, the main difference between the CPI and the HICP is that the HICP does not take into account costs related to home ownership, unlike the CPI. In the CPI, these costs are calculated based on changes in rents for housing.

New base year for CPI with effect from 2026