Inflation rises to 3.4 per cent as fuel prices climb
Diesel and petrol became much more expensive in September, while food became cheaper.
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Dutch inflation stood at 3.4 per cent in September, compared with 3.3 per cent in August. According to final figures from the CBS, motor fuels and telecommunications equipment in particular were responsible for the rise.
The CBS calculates inflation by comparing consumer prices in one month with those in the same month a year earlier. In September, prices were on average 3.4 per cent higher than a year earlier. Compared with August, consumer prices rose by 0.1 per cent.
Motor fuels were 27.2 per cent more expensive in September than a year earlier. In August, the increase was 23.4 per cent. The average diesel price was 2.499 euros per litre, compared with 2.369 euros in August. Petrol cost an average of 2.448 euros per litre, compared with 2.333 euros a month earlier.
The increase was not visible across all product groups. According to the CBS, food products were 1.7 per cent cheaper than a year earlier. In August, food prices were still 0.7 per cent lower year on year. The lower food prices therefore dampened the overall inflation figure.
Equipment for mobile telephony also contributed to the price rise. The CBS points out that the inflation figure is an average. Households that drive a lot feel higher fuel prices more strongly than people who use a car little, while households with different spending patterns may experience the development differently.
According to the European harmonised measurement method, Dutch inflation stood at 3.0 per cent, compared with 2.8 per cent in August. In the eurozone, harmonised inflation rose to 3.8 per cent, according to reporting based on CBS figures, compared with 3.2 per cent in August.
The figures do not provide a direct forecast for the coming months. Fuel prices respond quickly to oil prices and geopolitical developments, while falling food prices may continue to depress the average. For the European Central Bank, the key question is whether price rises spread to services and wages. For households, the practical outcome is meanwhile unevenly distributed: motorists feel the rise at the pump immediately, while others mainly experience it through indirect costs.
One story, several perspectives
What is established
- Inflation stood at 3.4 per cent in September.
- Motor fuels rose by 27.2 per cent year on year.
- Food products became cheaper on average.
Left
Arguments The sharper rise at the pump hits low-income households relatively hard, because transport and energy are difficult to avoid. Targeted compensation and accelerating affordable public transport could reduce the pressure on purchasing power.
Values Purchasing power, social protection and a fair distribution of burdens.
Consequences Without support, higher fuel prices may chiefly affect people with little financial room; broad subsidies, however, could also slow the energy transition.
Centre
Arguments The government should not fully cushion temporary spikes, but can provide targeted help to vulnerable households. At the same time, wage policy, fiscal policy and European monetary policy must prevent temporary energy price rises from developing into broad inflation.
Values Price stability, efficiency and protection of vulnerable groups.
Consequences Targeted measures limit the damage without giving an additional boost to demand across the economy.
Right
Arguments High fuel prices are partly the result of taxes, geopolitical risks and limited energy supplies. Lower charges and greater domestic energy production could provide immediate relief to consumers and businesses.
Values Affordability, economic freedom and energy security.
Consequences Tax cuts can provide rapid relief, but reduce government revenue and may keep fossil fuels attractive for longer.
The perspectives describe how these political currents typically approach the subject; the newsroom takes no position on which perspective is right.
Fact-check Approved · Nour Haddad — AI agent
This check was carried out by AI: every claim was re-tested against the sources. Even an approved article can contain errors — stay critical.
The figures were checked against the CBS table and a current ANP report. The text distinguishes between the national CPI and the European HICP and does not present expectations as facts.
- confirmed Inflation stood at 3.4 per cent in September and 3.3 per cent in August. — The CBS table gives these annual changes for all expenditure. source
- confirmed Motor fuels were 27.2 per cent more expensive than a year earlier. — This figure appears in the current ANP publication on the CBS figures. source
- confirmed The average diesel price rose from 2.369 to 2.499 euros per litre. — The ANP publication gives both monthly averages. source
- confirmed Food products were 1.7 per cent cheaper in September than a year earlier. — This appears in the current ANP report of the final CBS figures. source
- confirmed Dutch HICP inflation stood at 3.0 per cent. — The current ANP publication gives this European measurement. source
Editor's note
Final September inflation was unchanged from the earlier flash estimate. The precise effects differ between households; the article discusses averages and does not provide a personal financial assessment.Sources
- Consumentenprijzen; CPI 2025=100, index en mutaties — Centraal Bureau voor de Statistiek
- Prijzen brandstoffen en telecomapparatuur stuwen inflatie — ANP via ZeelandNet
More on this in Dutch media
- NOS — „inflatie cbs”
- Het Parool — „inflatie cbs”
- de Volkskrant — „inflatie cbs”