CBS switches to new method for calculating energy prices in the CPI

Inflation Netherlands April 2023

Consumer Price Index (CPI) in the Netherlands increased to 129.42 points in April from 128.58 points in March 2023.

The Consumer Price Index (CPI) is a measure of the average change in prices over time in a fixed basket of goods and services purchased by households. The CPI is calculated by taking the average price of each item in the basket and comparing it to the price of the same item in the previous period. The CPI is used to measure inflation, which is the rate at which the prices of goods and services are rising.

In the Netherlands, the CPI is calculated by the Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS). The CBS has recently switched to a new method for calculating energy prices in the CPI. The new method is based on the actual prices paid by households for energy, rather than on the prices set by energy suppliers.

The switch to the new method has resulted in a significant increase in the CPI for April 2023. The CPI increased by 0.66% in April, compared to an increase of 0.33% in March. The increase in the CPI was largely due to the increase in energy prices.

The CPI is an important measure of inflation. The increase in the CPI in April 2023 suggests that inflation is rising in the Netherlands. This is a concern for policymakers, as inflation can erode the purchasing power of households and businesses.