Inflation increases to 3.2 percent in July

Statistics Netherlands (CBS) reports that consumer goods and services in the Netherlands were 3.2 percent more expensive in July 2026 than they were in July 2025. Year-on-year inflation in the month of June was 2.9 percent. In the flash estimate published on 31 July, inflation for July was estimated at 3.1 percent. The flash estimate is calculated based on incomplete source data.

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 1.6 percent higher in July than they were in June.

Motor fuels and energy more expensive

Inflation has risen due to the change in the price of motor fuels an energy, in particular. In July 2026, motor fuels were 22.0 percent more expensive than in July 2025; in June, they were 17.3 percent more expensive than a year earlier. In July, energy (electricity, gas and heat energy) was 1.1 percent more expensive than in July 2025; in June, energy was 1.8 percent cheaper year on year. The extension of import duties on consumer goods ordered from outside the European Union also had an upward effect on inflation.

Property rents rising more slowly

Changes in property rents had a downward effect on inflation. Changing housing costs are measured in the CPI for both rental properties and owner-occupied homes based on changes in housing rents. According to provisional figures, rental property prices in July were an average of 4.3 percent higher than one year previously. In June, they were 4.7 percent higher, year on year.

Price changes in the short term

Compared to June, consumer prices were 1.6 percent higher in July. The average monthly change in inflation in July over the past ten years was 1.1 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.

Inflation in the eurozone is rising less rapidly than in the Netherlands

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 3.0 percent more expensive in July, year on year. In June, inflation was 2.5 percent according to the HICP. Inflation in the euro area as a whole rose from 2.8 percent in June to 2.9 percent in July.

Inflation in the euro area as a whole was lower than in the Netherlands in July 2026. For services and industrial goods, inflation in the Netherlands was higher 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.