Inflation marginally up

• Higher petrol prices push up inflation
• Prices airline tickets higher
• Inflation eurozone also higher

According to the latest figures published by Statistics Netherlands, inflation in the Netherlands was 2.0 percent in February, i.e. 0.1 percentage points up on January. The increase is primarily caused by higher petrol prices.

Petrol prices in February were 3.8 percent up on January. In the latter half of 2008, petrol prices dropped on a monthly basis. In February, petrol was 13 percent cheaper than one year previously.

Prices of airline tickets also contributed to the marginally higher inflation rate. In February 2009, airline ticket prices were 12 percent higher than in January and 8.7 percent higher than in February 2008.

Dutch inflation according to the European harmonised method (HICP) was 1.9 percent in February, 0.2 percentage points higher than in January. Inflation in the eurozone also rose to reach 1.2 percent, as is shown by a Eurostat estimate. Dutch inflation is markedly above the eurozone level.

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