Inflation rose sharply again in September. The cost of living increased by 17.1 percent compared to September last year, reports Statistics Netherlands Friday morning based on the European harmonized method (HICP). In August, the inflation rate based on the same method was still 13.6 percent.
Rising energy prices are the main driver of inflation. Compared to September last year, new energy contracts are on average more than twice as expensive. Because more and more people are getting into trouble as a result, the cabinet announced on Budget Day that it would set a price ceiling for energy prices up to the consumption level of an average household.
The inflation figures published on Friday have been determined on the basis of the European harmonized method, which allows for a comparison of inflation figures between European countries. Statistics Netherlands will publish the Dutch consumer index next week. This includes housing costs and spending by Dutch consumers abroad. Last month, the inflation rate based on the latter method was 12 percent, which was then the highest level ever recorded.