Inflation up slightly

Dutch inflation was 1.5 percent in February, 0.1 percentage points higher than in January. The increase was mainly caused by price developments of petrol. Inflation is calculated from the consumer price index (CPI), relative to the same month one year previously.

With 0.9 percentage points, the costs of housing, water and energy were the main contributors to inflation in February. Food, drinks and tobacco contributed 0.2 percentage points, equal to hotel and catering services. Price developments in communication, culture and recreation, on the other hand, tempered inflation, accounting for 0.3 percentage points.

The harmonised index of consumer prices (HICP) allows comparison between the member states of the European Union. According to this method, inflation in the Netherlands was 1.4 percent in February. In January, the rate stood at 1.2 percent. According to Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union, the inflation rate in the eurozone averaged 1.8 percent in February.

Dutch inflation