Inflation rate

The Dutch inflation rate in September 2006 was 1.1 percent. This is 0.3 of a percent point lower than in August. The inflation rate mainly fell because fuel prices became cheaper. Inflation is calculated as the year-on-year change of the consumer price index.

Petrol prices fell substantially in September 2006, making petrol more than 8 percent cheaper than in September 2005. The price changes in clothing also helped lower the inflation rate. The price developments in potatoes and vegetables, on the other hand, helped raise the inflation rate. Fresh vegetables were 33 percent more expensive in September 2006 than in 2005.

Contributors to the 1.1 percent inflation rate in September were the costs for housing, water and energy (1.0 percent point). Food and non-alcoholic beverages contributed 0.4 percent point. Consumer taxes and government services helped lower the inflation rate by 0.4 percent point, transport by 0.2 percent point.

Compared to Augustus, the contribution of food and non-alcoholic beverages to the inflation rate increased by 0.2 percent point, whereas the contribution made by transport fell by 0.5 percent point.

To allow comparisons between the member states of the European Union, the inflation rate is also calculated according to the European harmonised method. According to this method, the Dutch inflation rate in September was 1.5 percent. This is 0.4 percent point less than in August. The Netherlands has had one of the lowest inflation rates in the eurozone for some time now.

According to Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union, the inflation rate in the eurozone averaged 1.8 percent in September. This means a further reduction of the inflation rate in the eurozone. In August the inflation rate in the eurozone was 2.3 percent. 

The Dutch inflation rate