Inflation also at 2.4 percent in February

• Inflation was unchanged from the flash estimate.
• Flight tickets had an upward effect on inflation, while food prices had a downward effect.
• Inflation was higher in the Netherlands than in the eurozone.

Statistics Netherlands (CBS) reports that consumer goods and services in the Netherlands were 2.4 percent more expensive in February 2026 than they were in February 2025. Inflation in the month of January 2026 was also 2.4 percent, year on year. The February inflation rate is the same as the flash estimate published on 3 March.

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 rose by 1.0 percent in February relative to January.

International flights more expensive

In February, price changes for international flights had an upward effect on inflation. International flights were 0.2 percent more expensive in February than in the same month a year earlier. In January, prices were 9.7 percent lower than last year. Price changes for clothing and shoes also had an upward effect on inflation.

Inflation lower due to price changes for food and non-alcoholic beverages

Price changes for food and non-alcoholic beverages had a downward effect on inflation. In February, these were 1.2 percent more expensive, year on year, while in January they were 2.0 percent more expensive, year on year.

Price changes in the short term

Compared to January, consumer prices rose by 1.0 percent in February. Over the past ten years, the average monthly change in February was 0.8 percent. 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.

Euro area inflation up

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 2.3 percent more expensive in February, year on year. In January, inflation was 2.2 percent according to the HICP. Inflation in the euro area as a whole rose from 1.7 percent in January to 1.9 percent in February.

Inflation in the euro area as a whole was lower than in the Netherlands in February 2026. Energy prices in the euro area were lower, whereas they were the same in the Netherlands, year on year. Furthermore, the year-on-year price increase for 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) have switched to a new base year, from 2015=100 to 2025=100. The inflation figures for January 2026 are the first in which this new base year has been applied.

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.