Dutch inflation rises to 3.1% in July as fuel costs soar

Inflation rose slightly to 3.1% in July, sustaining the above-target trend of the last two and a half years, according to statistics agency CBS’s latest flash forecast.

A 9.7% spike in energy prices, including motor fuels, was the main driver of the increase as overall inflation ticked up from 2.9% in June.

Services inflation was measured at 4.1%, the same level as in June, while purchases abroad were 4.8% more expensive, down from 5.7% a month ago.

The harmonised European rate, which does not include the costs associated with owning or renting a home, was measured at 2.9%, up from 2.5% in June.

Since January 2024 inflation in the Netherlands has been persistently above the European Central Bank’s target level of 2%, peaking at 4.1% in December 2024 and April 2025. Its highest level so far this year was 3.5% in May.

The Dutch government has so far resisted calls to cut prices at the pumps, even though the Netherlands has the most expensive fuel in Europe, at €2.35 for a litre of petrol and €2.39 for diesel.

The CBS will publish the confirmed results with a more detailed breakdown on August 11.