Consumer prices 1.5 percent up in January

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Statistics Netherlands (CBS) reports that the consumer price index (CPI) was 1.5 percent higher in January than in the same month last year. In December, prices of consumer goods and services were 1.3 percent up.

The consumer price index (CPI) is an important indicator for inflation, but is not the only one. It is an index for price changes in a basket of consumer goods and services, such as groceries, clothing, petrol, rent and insurance premiums. Inflation is a broader term which covers more than consumer goods and services; for example, prices of owner-occupied houses, manufactured products, shares and gold are also subject to change.

Higher energy prices

The year-on-year increase in consumer prices over January was higher than in December. This is mainly due to price developments of electricity and natural gas.

In January 2018, the price increase of electricity was 12.8 percent and 5.9 percent for natural gas, compared to the same month last year. In December 2017, the year-on-year price increase for both electricity and natural gas was smaller. The higher price increase in January 2018 is partly attributable to higher energy taxes. The price development of clothes, on the other hand, drove the inflation rate down.

Rise in Dutch consumer prices higher than in eurozone

In addition to the consumer price index (CPI), CBS also calculates the European harmonised price index (HICP).

HICP-based prices in the Netherlands increased from 1.2 percent in December to 1.5 percent in January. In the eurozone, however, the price increase of goods and services fell from 1.4 to 1.3 percent. For the first time since August 2017, the price increase in the Netherlands is higher than in the eurozone.

The HICP is compiled according to the European harmonised method in order to facilitate comparison between the various EU member states. Price indices for the eurozone and the European Union as a whole are calculated on the basis of the HICPs of the individual member states. The European Central Bank (ECB) uses these figures to formulate its monetary policy.

Unlike the CPI, the HICP does not take into account the costs related to home ownership. In the Dutch CPI, these costs are calculated on the basis of rent levels.

Sources

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