Which prices are up, which are down?

In July 2020, consumer goods and services in the Netherlands were on average 1.7 percent more expensive than one year previously. In the first seven months of 2020, prices were on average 1.5 percent higher than in the same period in 2019. Inflation was 1.8 percent in January, fell to 1.2 percent in April and May, and rose again in June and July. Inflation was still 2.6 percent in 2019.

Show tableConsumer prices (year-on-year % change)Hide tableConsumer prices (year-on-year % change)

Consumer prices (year-on-year % change)

Year	maand	Consumer prices
2019	January, 2019	2.2
2019	February, 2019	2.6
2019	March, 2019	2.8
2019	April, 2019	2.9
2019	May, 2019	2.4
2019	June, 2019	2.7
2019	July, 2019	2.5
2019	August, 2019	2.8
2019	September, 2019	2.6
2019	October, 2019	2.7
2019	November, 2019	2.6
2019	December, 2019	2.7
2020	January, 2020	1.8
2020	February, 2020	1.6
2020	March, 2020	1.4
2020	April, 2020	1.2
2020	May, 2020	1.2
2020	June, 2020	1.6
2020	July, 2020	1.7

Tobacco products considerably more expensive

The prices of tobacco products have risen sharply in 2020. In July 2020, tobacco prices were nearly 19 percent higher than in the same month twelve months previously. This price increase is mainly the result of two excise duty hikes. As of 1 April, the excise duty on a packet of 20 cigarettes was increased by 1 euro, after it had already risen by 14 cents on 1 January. An additional 2.50 euros in excise has been levied on 50 grams of rolling tobacco since 1 April. Never before has an excise duty hike been as hefty as the April increase of this year. In fact, the cost of smoking has been rising for some time now: since July 2000 the price of tobacco products has risen by more than 200 percent.

Over the same period, prices of all consumer goods and services rose by 45 percent.

Food slightly more expensive

In the first six months of 2020, price changes for food products and non-alcoholic beverages also led to higher inflation. The price increase was relatively high in March, April and May, in particular. Prices were 3.5 percent higher in April than in they had been in 2019. In that month, meat products were 8 percent more expensive than one year before, and fruit 6.4 percent. Prices of food products and non-alcoholic beverages were 1.9 percent higher in July 2020 than in July 2019, i.e. the price increase is comparable to the level of inflation for all consumer goods and services.

Energy cheaper

The average consumer energy bill fell sharply in 2020: in July 2020 energy bills were 12.9 percent lower compared to one year earlier. This is due to amended tax rules and developments in the energy market. The largest difference is found in the tax credit received by each household. This year, households are receiving a fixed amount of 216 more euros in their energy tax rebate compared to 2019. Variable supply tariffs for gas and electricity also fell in the first half of 2020.

Savings at the pump

Motor fuel prices also fell in the first months of 2020. Taken together, petrol, diesel and LPG were 14.1 percent cheaper in May 2020 than in May of the previous year. The price development of petrol is partly determined by crude oil, which fell in price at the start of 2020. After May, fuel prices recovered somewhat, but in July 2020 prices were still 7.1 percent lower than twelve months previously.

Show tableConsumer goods and services which became more or less expensive, July 2020 (year-on-year % change)Hide tableConsumer goods and services which became more or less expensive, July 2020 (year-on-year % change)

Consumer goods and services which became more or less expensive, July 2020 (year-on-year % change)

Product	Price
All products	1.7
More expensive:	.
Tobacco	18.7
Food and non-alcoholic beverages	1.9
Less expensive:	.
Energy	-12.9
Motor fuels	-7.1

The questions

1. How does CBS calculate the figures?
2. How do we use our land?
3. How fast is the population growing?
4. How are the various animal species doing?
5. What are our top concerns?
6. Where do the emigrants go?
7. Who use social media the most?
8. How isolated do we feel?
9. What are our favourite wedding dates? What about partnership registrations?
10. How many under-18s are receiving youth assistance?
11. What about cyber crime?
12. What are the most popular majors?
13. What are the major religions?
14. How many overnight stays?
15. How many people shop online? And the items they buy...
16. Who are eligible to vote?
17. What are young people doing online?
18. How many adults smoke or have smoked?
19. Where were people in the Caribbean Netherlands originally born?
20. Where do Caribbean Dutch children live?
21. How much internet usage in the Caribbean Netherlands?
22. How many people (never) work from home?
23. How many millionaires in the Netherlands?
24. Has our purchasing power gone up or down?
25. Which jobs have the highest levels of mental fatigue?
26. How many employees are members of a trade union?
27. How many passengers flying into and out of the Netherlands?
28. How much nitrogen is emitted at livestock farms?
29. How many dwellings in the Netherlands?
30. How much is our average mileage in electric cars?
31. What do we import from China?
32. Which prices are up, which are down?
33. What is our production of frozen fries?
34. How many enterprises in the Netherlands?
35. How much energy do we get from biomass?
36. How much do we recycle?
37. Which flower bulbs are most common?
38. What is the impact of coronavirus?