Saudi Arabia’s annual inflation rate inched up to 1.8% in March 2026 from a seventeen-month low of 1.7% in February. The uptick was largely driven by higher housing and utility costs, which rose 3.9% (slightly below February’s 4.1%), reflecting a 4.8% increase in actual rents (vs 5.1% previously).
Transport prices advanced 0.9% (down from 1.9% in February), supported by a 5.5% rise in passenger transport services (vs 5.6%). Restaurant and accommodation services also saw stronger inflation, up 2.2% compared with 1.9% in the prior month.
Price growth accelerated in insurance and financial services (2.1% vs 1.0%) and in recreation, sport and culture (2.0% vs 1.8%). Inflation was unchanged for personal care, social protection and miscellaneous goods and services, remaining elevated at 8.2%.
By contrast, prices declined for clothing and footwear (-0.1% vs 0.0%) and for furnishings, household equipment and maintenance (-0.5% vs -0.9%).
On a monthly basis, consumer prices rose 0.3% in March, the fastest increase since October 2025, following flat readings in the previous month.
