Inflation decreases to 2.9 percent in June

Statistics Netherlands (CBS) reports that consumer goods and services in the Netherlands were 2.9 percent more expensive in June 2026 than they were in June 2025. Inflation in the month of May was 3.5 percent, year on year. The inflation rate for June is the same as the flash estimate published on 1 July.

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 0.6 percent lower in June than they were in May.

Downward effect of motor fuels and bungalow park accommodation

The change in the price of motor fuels had a downward effect on the inflation rate. In June 2026, motor fuels were 17.3 percent more expensive than in June 2025; in May 2026, they were 27.5 percent more expensive than a year earlier. The change in the price of bungalow park accommodation and hotels also had a downward effect on the inflation rate.

Price changes in the short term

Compared to May, consumer prices were 0.6 percent lower in June. The average monthly change in inflation in June 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 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 June, year on year. In May, inflation was 3.4 percent according to the HICP. Inflation in the euro area as a whole fell from 3.2 percent in May to 2.8 percent in June.

Inflation in the euro area as a whole was higher than in the Netherlands in March 2026. 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.