Dutch price increase higher than EU average

According to the CBS price dashboard, in the first half of 2019 there were more inflation indicators with a higher than usual price development than in 2018. Consumer prices, wages and prices for owner-occupied dwellings and investment were higher than usual in the first half of 2019. On the other hand, the interest rate has been lower than usual for some years now. In comparison with European countries, consumer and house price inflation in the Netherlands is also higher than in other countries.

Higher inflation in the Netherlands than in other European countries

For international comparison, the European harmonised index of consumer prices HICP is used. The average development of the HICP in the Netherlands in the first half of the year was 2.6 percent. Only in Romania, Hungary, Latvia, Estonia and Bulgaria was the price increase higher than in the Netherlands. The average for the euro zone was 1.4 percent.

For food, drinks and tobacco, the average price increase in the Netherlands was 3.3 percent. The average price increase for food in the euro area was 1.7 percent.