Inflation in Saudi Arabia reaches 1.7% in October

Detailed summary

Inflation or Consumer Price Index (CPI) in Saudi Arabia registered an annual increase of 1.7 percent in October 2026 compared to the same month last year, according to data released on Sunday by the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT).

RIYADH — Inflation or Consumer Price Index (CPI) in Saudi Arabia registered an annual increase of 1.7 percent in October 2026 compared to the same month last year, according to data released on Sunday by the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT). The authority attributed the rise primarily to a 3.5 percent increase in housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuel prices, alongside a 1.1 percent rise in food and beverage prices and a 2.3 percent increase in transportation prices.

In terms of consumer spending, the report revealed that actual housing rents increased by 3.5 percent, while prices in insurance and financial services also rose by 3.5 percent, driven by a 6.5 percent increase in insurance service prices.

Prices in the recreation, sports and culture sector climbed by 2.7 percent, reflecting a 4.6 percent increase in holiday package prices. Passenger transportation services recorded a more substantial rise of 9.5 percent. Conversely, prices in the furniture, household appliances and routine home maintenance category declined by 0.5 percent while those in the clothing and footwear category fell by 0.2 percent.

The housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels category emerged as the largest contributor to the annual inflation rate, accounting for 0.7 percentage points. This was followed by transportation at 0.3 percentage points, food and beverages at 0.2 percentage points, and personal care, social protection and other goods and services at 0.1 percentage points. The remaining categories collectively contributed 0.4 percentage points.

On a month-on-month basis, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) increased by 0.1 percent in October compared to September 2026. The rise was driven by a 0.2 percent increase in housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuel prices, supported by a 0.4 percent rise in actual housing rents.

Conversely, prices in personal care, social protection and other goods and services declined by 0.6 percent.

The Wholesale Price Index (WPI) in…

Opening of the article, excerpted from Saudi Gazette. To read the rest, open the article on the publisher's site.