Dutch August Inflation Confirmed at 3.3%

The annual inflation rate in the Netherlands edged up to a three-month high of 3.3% in August 2026 from 3.2% in July, confirming preliminary estimates. The pickup was mainly driven by higher inflation for housing and utilities (4.1% vs 3.9% in July), due to increased costs of electricity, gas and fuels. Inflation also rose further for alcoholic beverages (1.9% vs 1.6%) and clothing and footwear (1.1% vs 0.2%). Meanwhile, transport inflation eased slightly to 8.3% from 8.6%, while restaurants slowed to 3.8% from 4.6% and recreation, sports and culture to 2.2% from 3.2%. Food and non-alcoholic beverages prices fell further, declining 1% after a 0.4% drop in July. On a monthly basis, consumer prices rose 0.3%, easing from a 1.6% jump in the previous period. Meanwhile, HICP-based annual inflation, which excludes owner-occupied housing costs, slowed to 2.8% from 3% in July. Prices of goods and services purchased abroad also rose sharply, increasing 7.4% year-on-year from 4.8%.

The annual inflation rate in the Netherlands rose to a three-month high of 3.3% in August 2026 from 3.2% in July, according to preliminary estimates. Price growth accelerated for energy, including motor fuels, rising to 11.7% from 9.7% in July, as global energy costs remained elevated amid the ongoing Middle East conflict. Inflation for industrial goods excluding energy and motor fuels also increased to 1.4% from 1.2%. Meanwhile, inflation for food, beverages, and tobacco fell to -0.5% from 0%, while price growth for services eased to 3.7% from 4.0%. On a monthly basis, consumer prices grew 0.3%, easing from a 1.6% jump in July. The index for consumption abroad rose 7.4% year-on-year, accelerating from a 4.8% increase in July. HICP-based annual inflation, which excludes owner-occupied housing costs, eased to 2.8% in August from 3.0% in July.

The annual inflation rate in the Netherlands for July 2026 was revised slightly upward to 3.2% from a preliminary estimate of 3.1%, compared with 2.9% in June. The main upward pressure came from a faster increase in transport costs (8.6% vs 6.9% in June), driven primarily by higher motor fuel prices (22% vs 17.3%) amid renewed tensions in the Middle East. Inflation in housing and utilities also edged up (3.8% vs 3.6%), mainly due to a rebound in energy costs (1.1% vs -1.8%). Other price increases were recorded in recreation, sports and culture (3.2% vs 2.6%) and restaurants and hotels (4.6% vs 4.2%). Meanwhile, prices for food and alcoholic beverages (-0.4% vs -0.5%) and information and communication (-1.1% vs -1.4%) continued to decline, albeit at a slower pace. On a monthly basis, consumer prices rose 1.6%, the biggest increase since September 2022, rebounding from a 0.6% fall in the previous month. Annual inflation measured by the HICP picked up to 3.0% in July from 2.5% in June.