RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s inflation rate remained relatively stable in April, with consumer prices rising 1.7 percent year on year.
Data released by the Kingdom’s General Authority for Statistics showed the Consumer Price Index edged up 0.2 percent month on month in April, reflecting moderate increases across several categories including food, housing and transportation.
The housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels category remained the largest contributor to annual inflation, with prices rising 3.8 percent from a year earlier. The increase was primarily driven by a 4.8 percent rise in actual housing rents.
Compared with neighboring Gulf economies, Saudi Arabia’s inflation rate remained relatively contained. Kuwait recorded annual inflation of 2.06 percent in March, while Qatar’s latest inflation reading stood at 2.51 percent in February. Bahrain posted annual inflation of 1.1 percent in March.
In its latest report, GASTAT highlighted some of the areas of declining costs, stating that “the prices of furnishings, household equipment and routine household maintenance decreased by 0.5 percent affected by the decline in the prices of furniture, furnishings and loose carpets by 1.9 percent.”
Transport prices rose 1 percent year on year, supported by a 5.2 percent increase in passenger transport services, while restaurant and accommodation services also climbed 1 percent.
Food and beverage prices increased 0.6 percent annually, driven by a 1.8 percent increase in fresh, chilled or frozen meat prices.
On a monthly basis, food and beverage prices rose 0.8 percent in April, while housing and transport each recorded a 0.3 percent increase compared with March.
Restaurant and accommodation services declined 0.3 percent during the month, while prices for education, entertainment, communications and tobacco were largely unchanged.
Separate data from the statistics authority showed wholesale prices increased 3.3 percent year on year in April, led by a 6.4 percent increase in prices for other transportable goods excluding metal products, machinery and equipment. Wholesale prices rose 0.2 percent month on month.
The authority said higher prices for basic chemicals, which surged 34.9 percent annually, and refined petroleum products, which increased 3.9 percent, were among the main contributors to wholesale inflation.
Prices for metal products, machinery and equipment rose 1.1 percent year on year, supported by a 4.4 percent increase in basic metals prices.
Food products, beverages, tobacco and textiles recorded a 0.8 percent annual increase in wholesale prices, driven by higher prices for meat, fish, fruit, vegetables, oils and fats.
Agriculture and fishery products also rose 1.7 percent compared with April 2025, while ores and minerals prices declined 0.3 percent.
