Saudi Arabia Inflation Rate Steady at 1.8%

The annual inflation rate in Saudi Arabia held steady at 1.8% in June 2026, unchanged from May and in line with market expectations. Price growth accelerated for food and beverages (1.4% vs 0.7% in May) and transportation (1.7% vs 1.5%). Inflation also edged up for tobacco (0.5% vs 0.4%) and health (0.4% vs 0.2%). On the other hand, costs rose at a slower pace for housing and utilities (3.5% vs 3.7%), recreation, sport and culture (2.5% vs 2.6%), and restaurants and accommodation services (1.5% vs 1.7%). Inflation also moderated for insurance and financial services (2.1% vs 2.2%), personal care and miscellaneous goods and services (3.8% vs 5.6%), and education services (1.1% vs 1.4%). Meanwhile, deflation deepened for clothing and footwear (-0.4% vs -0.1%), while inflation was unchanged for information and communication (0.6%). On a monthly basis, consumer prices rose 0.2% in June, matching the increase recorded in the previous period.

The annual inflation rate in Saudi Arabia edged up to 1.8% in May 2026 from 1.7% in the previous month, matching market expectations. Costs increased in food and beverages (0.7% vs 0.6% in April), transportation (1.5% vs 1%), recreation and culture (2.6% vs 1.8%), and restaurants and hotels (1.7% vs 1%). In addition, deflation slowed in clothing and footwear (-0.1% vs -0.3%), while price growth remained steady in tobacco (at 0.4%) and education (at 1.4%). On the other hand, costs moderated in housing utilities (3.7% vs 3.8%), health (0.2% vs 0.4%), information and communication (0.6% vs 1.3%), insurance and financial services (2.2% vs 2.3%), and miscellaneous goods and services (5.6% vs 6.3%). On a monthly basis, consumer prices rose by 0.2% in May, unchanged from the preceding period and matching market expectations.

The annual inflation rate in Saudi Arabia eased to 1.7% in April 2026 from 1.8% in the previous month, slightly below market expectations of 1.8%. Prices rose at a softer pace in housing and utilities (3.8% vs 3.9% in March), recreation, sport and culture (1.8% vs 2.0%), restaurant and accommodation services (1.0% vs 2.2%), and personal care, social protection and miscellaneous goods and services (6.3% vs 8.2%). Additionally, deflation continued in clothing and footwear (-0.3% vs -0.1%) and furnishings, household equipment and maintenance (unchanged at -0.5%). Meanwhile, costs increased further in food and beverages (0.6% vs 0.3%), transport (1.0% vs 0.9%), information and communication (1.3% vs 1.0%), and insurance and financial services (2.3% vs 2.1%), while inflation remained steady for tobacco (0.4%), health (0.4%), and education (1.4%). On a monthly basis, consumer prices rose 0.2% in April, easing slightly from 0.3% in the previous month.