The increase marked a sharp rise in consumer price inflation, based on preliminary data that is not yet complete. On a month-on-month (MoM) basis, consumer prices were 0.1 per cent higher in May than in April, CBS said in a press release.
Inflation in the Netherlands rose to 3.5 per cent year on year in May 2026 from 2.8 per cent in April, according to a flash estimate by the Statistics Netherlands (CBS).
Consumer prices increased 0.1 per cent MoM, exceeding the long-term May trend.
The HICP inflation rate also climbed sharply to 3.4 per cent from 2.5 per cent, while seasonal factors continued to influence price movements.
CBS noted that, over the past decade, prices in May have fallen by an average of 0.1 per cent from April, indicating that this year’s monthly increase was above the long-term trend.
CBS highlighted that seasonal factors could influence short-term price movements. Clothing prices, for instance, often decline temporarily during sales periods, though such reductions are not considered structural.
It also released preliminary inflation estimates based on the European Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices (HICP), which is used for comparisons across the European Union (EU). According to the HICP flash estimate, inflation in the Netherlands stood at 3.4 per cent in May, compared with 2.5 per cent in April.
Fibre2Fashion News Desk (SG)
