Dutch inflation rises to 2.7% in March, impacting household budgets
Inflation in the Netherlands climbed to 2.7% in March, up from 2.4% in February, according to a quick estimate by Statistics Netherlands. This rise in consumer prices could affect your daily expenses, from groceries to services, as costs continue to edge upward.
| Key Data Point | Value |
|---|---|
| Inflation (March 2026) | 2.7% |
| Inflation (February 2026) | 2.4% |
| Monthly price increase | 0.7% (March vs. February) |
| HICP Inflation (March 2026) | 2.6% |
| HICP Inflation (February 2026) | 2.3% |
| New CPI base year | 2025=100 |
Statistics Netherlands (CBS) is the national statistical office responsible for collecting and publishing data on economic trends, including inflation. This data helps the government, businesses, and citizens understand price developments and their impact on the economy.
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Inflation in March at 2.7 percent in quick estimate
The inflation rate in March 2026 was 2.7 percent in the quick estimate, reports Statistics Netherlands (CBS). This estimate is based on incomplete source data. In February 2026, inflation stood at 2.4 percent.
Inflation is measured each month as the change in the consumer price index (CPI) compared to the same month in the previous year. The CPI also provides insight into price developments compared to the previous month. In the quick estimate, consumer prices rose by 0.7 percent in March compared to February.
The regular CPI figures for March will be published on April 9.
Short-term price developments
In the quick estimate, consumer prices rose by 0.7 percent in March compared to February. Over the past ten years, the average monthly change in March was also 0.7 percent. A note of caution when comparing two consecutive months is that seasonal effects must be taken into account. For example, clothing is cheaper during sales. Prices are temporarily lower, but this is not a structural price decrease.
Price developments by product groups
The quick estimate also includes price developments for a number of product groups. These are aggregates of spending categories on a specific theme, such as all services. On April 9, the price developments for all CPI categories will be published.
Quick estimate HICP
The CBS publishes two different inflation figures: one based on the consumer price index (CPI) and one based on the Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices (HICP). The quick estimate of inflation in the Netherlands according to the HICP was 2.6 percent in March. In February, HICP inflation stood at 2.3 percent.
The main difference between the CPI and the HICP for the Netherlands is that the HICP does not take into account the costs of owner-occupied housing. In the CPI, these costs are calculated based on the development of housing rents. There are other differences, which are explained in the detailed research description.
New base year for CPI from 2026
From 2026, both the CPI and the HICP will use a new base year, shifting from 2015=100 to 2025=100. More information about the transition is available in the methodology document: The consumer price index from 2026.
Sources
- Statline - Consumer prices; CPI 2025=100
- Statline - Consumer prices; HICP 2025=100
- Dashboard - Consumer prices
Relevant links
- Longread - The consumer price index from 2026
- Longread - Detailed research description of the CPI
- Article - Indexation in contracts
- Dossier - Economic cycle