Inflation in Saudi Arabia inches up 0.6% in September

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Saudi Arabia’s inflation rose to 0.6% in September, according to recent data by the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT).

The cost-of-living index for September rose to 104.69 points, according to the base year 2018, compared to 104.03 points the year before.

The increase in consumer price index (CPI) was mainly driven by a 5.9% year-on-year (YoY) rise in the average prices of transport, affected by higher prices of fuel by 44.9%, and a 2.4% increase in the food and beverages sector as food prices grew by 2.6%.

Communication sector rose by 2.8%, impacted by a 4.2% growth in phone and fax service prices.

Meanwhile, housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels sector declined by 3%, due to a 4.2% fall in housing rents.

Personal goods & services sector ebbed 0.2%, as prices of jewelry and watches fell by 2.5%.

The table below illustrates the change in the CPI comparison YoY in September:

The CPI reflects price changes of a fixed basket of goods and services that includes 490 items. The items were chosen based on the results of the Household Expenditure and Income Survey conducted in 2018.

Prices are collected through point of sale (POS) field visits.

Details and Historical Data of Inflation