Netherlands inflation was 3.5 percent in September

Inflation in the Netherlands was 3.5 percent in September, Statistics Netherlands (CBS) reported in its first quick calculation. That is slightly lower than in August when daily life became 3.6 percent more expensive.

The slight decrease is entirely due to energy, including motor fuel, prices. They fell by 6.1 percent in September - a bigger decrease than August’s -3.3 percent.

The price development for services also had a slight downward effect on inflation. Services became 5.6 percent more expensive last month, a slightly smaller increase than August’s 5.8 percent.

Food prices and the prices of industrial goods, excluding motor fuels, pushed inflation higher. Food prices rose 6 percent in September after increasing 5.6 percent in August. Industrial goods became 0.4 percent more expensive in September after a price drop of 0.9 percent in August.

CBS also calculated Dutch inflation based on the European harmonized method (HICP), which was agreed upon in Europe to facilitate inflation comparisons between EU countries. Based on the HICP, Dutch inflation was 3.3 percent in September, the same as in August.

Later on Tuesday, Eurostat will publish inflation figures for the European Union.