Dutch inflation rises to 3.7% in October, preliminary estimate shows

Inflation in the Netherlands rose to 3.7% in October, up from 3.4% in September, according to Statistics Netherlands’ (CBS) preliminary estimate. The figure measures consumer-price growth compared with the same month a year earlier; CBS will publish the regular October figures on 10 November.

Prices rose by 0.7% from September to October. CBS notes that month-to-month comparisons can be affected by seasonal changes, and says prices in October have risen by an average of 0.5% over the past decade.

Energy, including motor fuels, was 14.4% more expensive than a year earlier, compared with 13.8% in September. Prices for food, drinks and tobacco were 0.6% lower than a year earlier, after falling 1.2% in September. Services inflation remained at 3.9%, while prices for industrial goods excluding energy and motor fuels rose 1.9%, up from 1.5%.

On the separate EU-harmonised measure, inflation increased to 3.3% from 3.0% in September. CBS says the preliminary estimates are based on incomplete source data; full price developments for all categories will be published with the regular figures.