Saudi Inflation Hits 9-Month High

2026-10-15 06:17 By Joshua Ferrer 1 min. read

Consumer prices in Saudi Arabia rose by 1.9% year-on-year in September 2026, falling short of market expectations for a 2.1% gain but up from a 1.8% increase in August.

The latest figure also marked the fastest rise since December last year, driven primarily by higher costs for food and beverages (at 1.4%), housing and utilities (3.6% vs 3.9% in August), and transportation (2.3% vs 2.0%).

Inflation also continued to increase for recreation, sport and culture (2.5% vs 2.8%), restaurants and accommodation services (1.9% vs 1.4%), insurance and financial services (2.0% vs 1.7%), and personal care, social protection and miscellaneous goods (3.3% vs 3.5%).

On the other hand, prices declined for clothing and footwear (-0.4% vs -0.5%) and furnishings, household equipment and maintenance (-0.5% vs -0.6%).

On a monthly basis, consumer prices remained unchanged in September, missing market forecasts for a 0.1% rise and following a 0.1% gain in the preceding period.



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Saudi Inflation Hits 9-Month High
Consumer prices in Saudi Arabia rose by 1.9% year-on-year in September 2026, falling short of market expectations for a 2.1% gain but up from a 1.8% increase in August. The latest figure also marked the fastest rise since December last year, driven primarily by higher costs for food and beverages (at 1.4%), housing and utilities (3.6% vs 3.9% in August), and transportation (2.3% vs 2.0%). Inflation also continued to increase for recreation, sport and culture (2.5% vs 2.8%), restaurants and accommodation services (1.9% vs 1.4%), insurance and financial services (2.0% vs 1.7%), and personal care, social protection and miscellaneous goods (3.3% vs 3.5%). On the other hand, prices declined for clothing and footwear (-0.4% vs -0.5%) and furnishings, household equipment and maintenance (-0.5% vs -0.6%). On a monthly basis, consumer prices remained unchanged in September, missing market forecasts for a 0.1% rise and following a 0.1% gain in the preceding period.
2026-10-15
Saudi Inflation Rate Unchanged for 4th Month
The annual inflation rate in Saudi Arabia stood at 1.8% in August 2026, unchanged from the previous three months and in line with market expectations. Prices mainly increased for transport (2.0% vs 1.4% in July), recreation, sport and culture (2.8% vs 2.4%), insurance and financial services (1.7% vs 1.4%), and personal care, social protection and miscellaneous (3.5% vs 2.9%). Inflation also continued to rise for food and beverages (1.4% vs 1.5%), housing and utilities (3.9% vs 4.2%), and restaurants and accommodation services (1.4% vs 2.0%). On the other hand, costs declined at a faster pace for clothing and footwear (-0.5% vs -0.4%) and furnishings, household equipment and maintenance (-0.6% vs -0.5%). On a monthly basis, consumer prices grew by 0.1% in August, marking the softest rise since December and slowing from a 0.2% gain in the preceding period.
2026-09-15
Saudi Arabia Inflation Unchanged for Third Month
The annual inflation rate in Saudi Arabia rose by 1.8% in July 2026, matching the pace from the previous two months and in line with market expectations. Prices increased for food and non-alcoholic beverages (1.5% vs 1.4% in June), housing and utilities (4.2% vs 3.5%), restaurants and hotels (2.0% vs 1.5%), and education (1.2% vs 1.1%). At the same time, costs remained unchanged for information and communication (at 0.6%) and clothing and footwear (at -0.4%), while prices fell at a softer pace for furnishings and household equipment (-0.5% vs -0.6%). In contrast, inflation moderated for tobacco (0.4% vs 0.5%), recreation and culture (2.4% vs 2.5%), insurance and financial services (1.4% vs 2.1%), transportation (1.4% vs 1.7%), health (0.3% vs 0.4%), and miscellaneous goods and services (2.9% vs 3.8%). On a monthly basis, consumer prices grew by 0.2%, unchanged from the previous three months and exceeding market expectations of a 0.1% increase.
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