Dutch February Inflation Confirmed at 2.4%

The annual inflation rate in the Netherlands rose to 2.7% in March 2026, a three-month high, up from 2.4% in February, according to preliminary estimates. The main upward pressure came from a surge in energy prices, including motor fuels, which rose 6.5% after showing no growth in February. At the same time, inflation accelerated for food, beverages, and tobacco (2.0% vs 1.4%). Meanwhile, price growth eased for services (3.8% vs 4.2%), while inflation remained unchanged for industrial goods excluding energy and motor fuels (0.4%). The index for consumption abroad declined by 0.5%, following a 0.9% drop in the previous period. On a monthly basis, consumer prices are expected to rise 0.7%, easing from a 1.0% increase in February. HICP-based inflation, which excludes owner-occupied housing costs, came in at 2.6% in March, up from 2.3% in February.

The annual inflation rate in the Netherlands was confirmed at 2.4% in February 2026, unchanged from January’s more than two-year low. Price growth slowed mainly for food and non-alcoholic beverages (1.2% vs 2% in January), housing and utilities (3.6% vs 3.8%), household goods and services (0.5% vs 1.5%), and recreation and culture (1.9% vs 2.2%). On the other hand, costs rebounded for clothing and footwear (0.7% vs -0.5%), while inflation picked up for transport (3.1% vs 2.1%) and restaurants and hotels (5.1% vs 3.9%). On a monthly basis, consumer prices jumped 1%, the largest increase since late July, recovering from a 0.5% decline in January. Meanwhile, HICP inflation, which excludes owner-occupied housing, rose 2.3% year-on-year in February, slightly up from a 2.2% gain in January.

The annual inflation rate in the Netherlands remained steady at 2.4% in February 2026, unchanged from January’s over two-year low, according to preliminary estimates. Price growth slowed across several product groups, notably food, beverages, and tobacco (1.4% vs 2.0% in January) and industrial goods excluding energy and motor fuels (0.3% vs 0.6%). Meanwhile, services saw faster inflation (4.2% vs 3.9%), while energy prices including motor fuels eased to 0.0% from 0.3% in January. The index for consumption abroad declined by 0.9%, reversing a 0.2% rise in the previous month. On a monthly basis, consumer prices are expected to jump 1%, the largest increase since late July, rebounding from a 0.7% fall in January. HICP-based inflation, which excludes owner-occupied housing costs, came in at 2.3% in February, up slightly from 2.2% in January.