# Dutch inflation rises to 3.7% in October, first estimate shows

> Statistics Netherlands (CBS) estimates that consumer prices in October were 3.7% higher than a year earlier, up from 3.4% in September, as energy and fuel prices keep climbing.

Economy · published 2026-11-04 05:47 · updated 2026-11-04 06:15 · https://nlnow.nl/a/dutch-inflation-rises-to-3-7-in-october-flash-estimate-shows/

Statistics Netherlands (CBS) puts Dutch inflation at 3.7% in October 2026 in its first estimate, up from 3.4% in September. The estimate rests on incomplete source data.

Inflation is the change in the consumer price index (CPI) compared with the same month a year earlier. Against September, prices rose 0.7% in October. Over the past ten years, October prices were on average 0.5% higher than September prices, CBS says.

**Inflation is higher than at any point in the past year** (% change on a year earlier; source: CBS)

- Oct 2025: 3.1
- Nov 2025: 2.8
- Dec 2025: 2.9
- Jan 2026: 2.4
- Feb 2026: 2.4
- Mar 2026: 2.7
- Apr 2026: 2.8
- May 2026: 3.5
- Jun 2026: 2.9
- Jul 2026: 3.2
- Aug 2026: 3.3
- Sep 2026: 3.4
- Oct 2026: 3.7

CBS cautions that month-to-month comparisons are affected by the season. Clothing, for example, is cheaper during sales. Prices are then temporarily lower, but that is not a lasting fall.

On the EU-harmonised measure (HICP), the first estimate for Dutch inflation is 3.3% in October, against 3.0% in September. CBS publishes two inflation figures, one based on the CPI and one on the HICP.

CBS will publish the regular October figures, with price changes for all spending categories, on 10 November. From 2026 the price indices use 2025 as the base year (2025=100) instead of 2015.

Energy and motor fuels were just over 14% more expensive in October, after almost 14% in September. Food, drinks and tobacco were 0.6% cheaper, after a 1.2% fall in September. Inflation is at its highest level since April 2025.

## Background

- **CBS (Centraal Bureau voor de Statistiek)**: Statistics Netherlands, the independent government body that produces the official statistics on the Dutch economy and society.

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