Latest News

Saudi Arabia's inflation rate inches approximately 1.6% in August

Saudi Arabia's annual inflation rate inched as much as 1.6% in August, from 1.5% in July, government data revealed on Sunday, driven by an increase in housing rents and food prices.

Housing rents rose by 10.7% in August, weighing on the total increase in costs of housing, water, electricity, gas, and other fuels by 8.9%, according to the General Authority for Stats.

The inflation rate had actually held steady at 1.5% in June and July, underpinned mainly by apartment leas.

In August information showed that food and drink prices increased 0.9%, a bigger boost than in recent months, driven by a 4.6%. increase in vegetable costs.

Costs in the restaurants and hotels category, as well as. the education sector, also increased, while prices in the transport. sub-category fell by 3.4% and those in the furnishing and home. devices sector decreased 3.5%.

On a month-on-month basis, costs increased 0.1% in August.

Inflation has stayed fairly low in Saudi Arabia this. year compared to global levels.

In its newest nation report, the International Monetary. Fund forecast Saudi inflation will average 1.9% in 2024 and 2%. in 2025.

(source: Reuters)