THE HAGUE – October 6, 2026 | The Dutch Daily
Dutch inflation rose to 3.4% in September 2026 in the flash estimate of Statistics Netherlands (CBS), up from 3.3% in August. CBS published the figure on 2 October 2026. It is calculated from still incomplete source data; the regular consumer price index (CPI) figures for September follow on 13 October. Energy including motor fuels is the product group with the largest price increase: 13.9% higher than a year earlier.
Key facts (CBS flash estimate, 2 October 2026)
- Dutch inflation (CPI), September 2026: 3.4%; August 2026: 3.3%.
- Month on month: consumer prices rose 0.1% in September compared with August. Over the past ten years prices in September were on average equal to August.
- Energy including motor fuels: +13.9% year on year (August: +11.6%).
- Services: +3.9%; food, drinks and tobacco: −1.2%.
- EU-harmonised measure (HICP): 3.0% in September, 2.8% in August.
- Next release: regular September CPI on 13 October 2026.
In this report
Dutch inflation in September 2026
Inflation is measured every month as the change in the consumer price index (CPI) compared with the same month a year earlier. In September 2026 that was 3.4% in the flash estimate; in August 2026 it was 3.3%. The CPI also shows how prices developed compared with the previous month: in the flash estimate consumer prices rose by 0.1% in September compared with August.
CBS adds a caveat for comparing two consecutive months: the influence of the season must be taken into account. Clothing, for example, is cheaper during the sales, which makes prices temporarily lower, but this is not a structural price fall.
Which prices rose, which fell
The flash estimate also shows how some product groups developed. These are sums of spending categories on a certain theme, such as all services. On 13 October CBS publishes the price development of all categories in the CPI.
| Product group | September 2026 | August 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Total | 3.4% | 3.3% |
| Food, drinks and tobacco | −1.2% | −0.5% |
| Energy including motor fuels | 13.9% | 11.6% |
| Industrial goods excluding energy and motor fuels | 1.5% | 1.4% |
| Services | 3.9% | 3.7% |
| Consumption abroad | 7.7% | 7.4% |
Year-on-year changes. Energy including motor fuels is the group with the biggest increase; food, drinks and tobacco is the only group with falling prices in the flash estimate.
Two measures: CPI and HICP
CBS publishes two different inflation figures: one based on the consumer price index (CPI) and one based on the European harmonised consumer price index (HICP). The flash estimate of Dutch inflation according to the HICP was 3.0% in September; in August it was 2.8%. Since 2026 both the CPI and the HICP have a new base year, moved from 2015=100 to 2025=100.
Dutch inflation month by month
| Month | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| January | 3.3% | 2.4% |
| February | 3.8% | 2.4% |
| March | 3.7% | 2.7% |
| April | 4.1% | 2.8% |
| May | 3.3% | 3.5% |
| June | 3.1% | 2.9% |
| July | 2.9% | 3.2% |
| August | 2.8% | 3.3% |
| September | 3.3% | 3.4% (flash) |
CPI, change compared with the same month a year earlier (CBS). In 2026 inflation was lowest in January and February (2.4%) and highest in May (3.5%); the September flash estimate is the highest since May.
A longer view: Dutch inflation since 2021
CBS’s monthly series, which starts in January 2021 at 1.6%, shows how far inflation has moved. It peaked at 14.5% in September 2022, stood at 9.6% in December 2022 and fell to 0.2% in September 2023 and −0.4% in October 2023, the only negative month in the series shown. In 2024 it ranged between 2.7% and 4.1%, and in 2025 between 2.8% and 4.1%. Against that background, 3.4% in September 2026 is above the 2.4% of January 2026 but well below the 2022 peak.
| Year | Lowest monthly figure | Highest monthly figure |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 6.2% (February) | 14.5% (September) |
| 2023 | −0.4% (October) | 8.0% (February) |
| 2024 | 2.7% (April, May) | 4.1% (December) |
| 2025 | 2.8% (August, December) | 4.1% (April) |
| 2026 (to September) | 2.4% (January, February) | 3.5% (May) |
All figures are the CPI change compared with the same month a year earlier, as published by CBS.
What a flash estimate is
The flash estimate (snelle raming) is calculated from still incomplete source data. That is why CBS publishes regular CPI figures later, for September on 13 October 2026.
What it means for you
- Energy prices: the 13.9% year-on-year rise in energy including motor fuels is the biggest in the flash estimate; CBS does not break this down by household in this release.
- Food: prices for food, drinks and tobacco were 1.2% lower than a year earlier.
- Rent and contracts: see our guide on rent increases 2026–2027. CBS also has an article about indexation in contracts.
- Check back on 13 October: the regular CPI figures replace the flash estimate.
Frequently asked questions
What is Dutch inflation in September 2026?
3.4% according to the CBS flash estimate, up from 3.3% in August.
Which prices rose the most?
Energy including motor fuels, up 13.9% year on year in the flash estimate.
Why are there two inflation figures?
CBS publishes one based on the national CPI and one based on the European harmonised HICP. The HICP flash estimate for September is 3.0%.
When are the final September figures published?
The regular CPI figures for September are published on 13 October 2026.
Did prices rise in September compared with August?
Yes, by 0.1% in the flash estimate. CBS notes that seasonal effects, such as sales, matter when comparing two consecutive months.
🇳🇱 Dutch Corner
| Dutch | Meaning |
|---|---|
| De inflatie | Inflation |
| De snelle raming | Flash estimate |
| De consumentenprijsindex (CPI) | Consumer price index |
| De energie | Energy |
| De motorbrandstoffen | Motor fuels |
| De voedingsmiddelen | Food products |
| De diensten | Services |
| De prijsstijging | Price increase |
| Ten opzichte van een jaar eerder | Compared with a year earlier |
Sources
- CBS, 2 October 2026: Inflatie in september 3,4 procent bij snelle raming (all figures in this report)
More on The Dutch Daily: rent increase 2026–2027
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