Inflation at 3.5 percent in May

Statistics Netherlands (CBS) reports that consumer goods and services in the Netherlands were 3.5 percent more expensive in May 2026 than they were in May 2025. Inflation in the month of April was 2.8 percent, year on year. The inflation rate for May is the same as the flash estimate published on 2 June.

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 0.1 percent in May relative to April.

Upward effect of air tickets and bungalow park accommodation

The change in the price of aeroplane tickets had an upward effect on the inflation rate. In May 2026, international flights were 12.3 percent more expensive than in May 2025; in April 2026, they were still 11.6 percent cheaper than a year earlier. The change in the price of bungalow park accommodation also had an upward effect on inflation. May 2026 had more vacation days than May 2025. The Whitsun holiday fell in May this year, while last year it was in June. Around public holidays and during vacations, goods and services related to tourism are more expensive because more people go on holiday then.

Price changes in the short term

Compared to April, consumer prices rose by 0 .1 percent in May. The average monthly change in inflation in May over the past ten years was -0.1 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 3.4 percent more expensive in May, year on year. In April, inflation was 2.5 percent according to the HICP. Inflation in the euro area as a whole rose from 3.0 percent in April to 3.2 percent in May.

Inflation in the euro area as a whole was lower than in the Netherlands in March 2026. Prices for services rose faster in the Netherlands, year-on-year, than in the eurozone. For energy, industrial goods, food, beverages, and tobacco, inflation in the Netherlands was lower than the average for the euro area as a whole.

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.