The consumer price index (CPI) measures the average change in prices of goods and services purchased by households in the Netherlands. It serves as a key indicator of inflation by showing whether the price of specific products or services has increased or decreased over time. Because consumer habits and markets evolve, the composition of the CPI is periodically updated to reflect current spending patterns and newly available products.

Updating the CPI to Reflect Modern Consumption

Over the past decade, consumer behaviour has shifted significantly. Services such as cloud computing, streaming subscriptions, and delivery services for online purchases have become more common, while older services, such as fax communications, have largely disappeared. To ensure accuracy, Statistics Netherlands (CBS) has introduced a revised classification system that incorporates these developments. The updated structure allows the CPI to better represent what Dutch households actually spend their money on.

New Base Year: 2025

Another major methodological change is the shift in the CPI base year from 2015 to 2025. With the new base year set at 2025 = 100, price changes are now measured relative to the average price level in 2025. The CPI figures for January 2026 are the first to use this updated reference point. Previously published inflation figures remain unchanged, but the CPI series from 2010 onward has been recalculated using the new base year to maintain comparability over time.

Inflation as an Economic Indicator

Inflation, as measured by the CPI, reflects the average annual change in prices for goods and services consumed by Dutch households. Rising prices reduce purchasing power if incomes do not increase proportionally, which can influence overall economic activity. For this reason, CPI data are widely used in economic policy, forecasting, and financial planning.

The CPI is among the most frequently consulted statistical indicators in the Netherlands. Monthly CPI updates attract substantial public interest, and a significant share of statistical inquiries relates to recent price developments and inflation trends.

Alignment with European Standards

In addition to the national CPI, Statistics Netherlands also produces the Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices (HICP), which enables comparisons of inflation across European countries. Efforts have been made to reduce methodological differences between the CPI and HICP, improving consistency and reducing the potential for measurement errors. This alignment helps ensure robust and comparable inflation statistics across Europe.

Use in Economic Policy and Forecasting

CPI data play an important role in economic forecasting and policy development. Institutions such as economic policy planners and the Dutch central bank rely on CPI figures to assess inflation trends and make projections about future economic conditions. During the development of the updated CPI methodology, these stakeholders were closely involved to ensure continuity and reliability in inflation analysis.

Tools for Households and Tenants

To help individuals understand how inflation affects them personally, Statistics Netherlands has updated its personal inflation calculator alongside the new CPI figures. This tool allows users to estimate inflation based on their own spending patterns. Additionally, the rent increase calculator has been updated to reflect the new base year, simplifying calculations for tenancy agreements that reference CPI-based rent adjustments.

Ongoing Improvements to Measurement

The transition to the new classification began in 2021 and involved extensive reclassification of detailed consumption data, including retail and supermarket sales. These efforts aim to ensure that the CPI continues to provide an accurate representation of price developments experienced by Dutch households.

References

Centraal Bureau voor de Statistiek. (2026, February 12). Changes in consumer price index (CPI) reflect the state of our economy. Retrieved from Centraal Bureau voor de Statistiek: https://www.cbs.nl/en-gb/corporate/2026/07/changes-in-consumer-price-index–cpi—reflect-the-state-of-our-economy

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