Saudi Arabia’s annual inflation rate held at 1.8% in August 2026, unchanged for the fourth consecutive month and in line with market expectations. The largest price increases were recorded in 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 goods and services (3.5% vs. 2.9%).
Inflation also remained elevated, though slightly softer, in 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%). By contrast, prices fell at a quicker pace for clothing and footwear (-0.5% vs. -0.4%), as well as for furnishings, household equipment and routine maintenance (-0.6% vs. -0.5%).
On a monthly basis, consumer prices rose 0.1% in August, easing from a 0.2% increase in the previous month and marking the smallest monthly gain since December.
