Dutch May Inflation Confirmed at a Year High

The annual inflation rate in the Netherlands accelerated to 3.5% in May 2026 from 2.8% in April, confirming preliminary estimates and marking the highest reading since April last year. The main upward pressure came from higher transport inflation (9.9% vs 6.9% in April), primarily driven by increased costs of international flights, with airline tickets 12.3% more expensive than a year earlier. Price growth also picked up for housing and utilities (3.5% vs 3.3%), recreation and culture (2.8% vs 1.6%), and restaurants and accommodation (6.5% vs 3.9%). In contrast, inflation eased sharply for food and non-alcoholic beverages (0.1% vs 1.4%), while deflation persisted for household goods and services (-0.3% vs -0.4%). On a monthly basis, consumer prices rose just 0.1%, following a 1.1% jump in April, which was the largest increase in nine months. Meanwhile, annual HICP inflation, which excludes owner-occupied housing, picked up to 3.4% from 2.5% in April.

The annual inflation rate in the Netherlands rose to 3.5% in May 2026, picking up from 2.8% in April, according to preliminary estimates. This marked the highest reading since March 2025, as price growth accelerated across most major categories, with energy including motor fuels rising 9.9%, compared with 7.9% in April, driven by higher fuel and utility costs. Services inflation also picked up to 4.7% from 3.6%, while industrial goods excluding energy and motor fuels edged up to 0.7% from 0.3%. In contrast, food, beverages and tobacco inflation slowed to 0.4% from 1.5%. Meanwhile, consumption abroad rose 5.6%, following a 3.4% increase in the previous period. On a monthly basis, consumer prices grew 0.1%, easing from a 1.1% jump in April. The quick estimate of HICP-based inflation, which excludes owner-occupied housing costs, stood at 3.4% in May, accelerating from 2.5% in April.

The annual inflation rate in the Netherlands edged higher to 2.8% in April 2026 from 2.7% in March, confirming preliminary estimates and marking the highest reading since late December. The uptick was mainly driven by stronger price increases in transport (6.2% vs 5.9%), amid surging fuel prices linked to Middle East tensions. Inflation also rose for alcoholic beverages and tobacco (2.2% vs 2.1%) and insurance and financial services (5.4% vs 5.0%). On the other hand, inflation slowed for food and non-alcoholic beverages (1.4% vs 2.0%), clothing and footwear (0.1% vs 1.3%), housing and utilities (3.3% vs 3.5%), and recreation and culture (1.6% vs 1.8%). Prices for household equipment and maintenance remained in deflation (-0.6% vs -0.4%). On a monthly basis, consumer prices jumped 1.1%, the most since July last year, picking up from a 0.7% increase in March. Meanwhile, annual HICP inflation, which excludes owner-occupied housing, edged down to 2.5% from 2.6% in the previous period.